NORWAY – A Hobbs Pond property dispute took a new turn Thursday when the Norway Board of Selectmen decided to become involved.

Although previously viewed as a private disagreement between two neighbors, the board voted 5-0 Thursday to move the matter forward. Steve Siskowitz of 79 Hobbs Pond Lane and Paul Eirman of 89 Hobbs Pond Lane will be asked to consult with the Norway Planning Board to address possible code violations on their properties.

Town Manager David Holt presented the board with a letter that will be sent to both men. He said he consulted with Fergus Lea, planning division director of the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, before drafting the document.

“He suggested, and I agree and recommend to you, that a good step would be to have the owners of both lots, Mr. Eirman and Mr. Siskowitz, address the parts of their lots where there are differences with what the (original subdivision) plan showed in the late 80s,” Holt said.

Both men have met with the selectmen and other town officials repeatedly to argue against one another. Holt addressed what he believed to be legitimate claims.

A stone in the drainage ditch on Eirman’s property “certainly is different than what was originally permitted,” Holt said. He suggested Eirman be asked to present an amended subdivision plan to the Planning Board. He also said it appeared too many trees on Eirman’s land may have been cut.

As for Siskowitz’s lot, Holt said, “I think there’s some drainage issues perhaps surrounding his whole lot that need to be addressed.” A turnaround that has not been created but exists on the subdivision plan needs to be discussed with the Planning Board as well, he said.

Because of the volatile nature of discussions between Siskowitz and Eirman, Holt said the board may want to request a police officer be present for the meeting.

Holt said he was once reluctant to address issues on both properties because they involved an old subdivision plan, and, “We didn’t immediately see big threats to either the environment or public safety.”

Selectman Russell Newcomb said he’d like to see progress made, but, “I don’t want to pass the buck.” He asked Planning Board Chairman Dennis Gray how he felt about addressing the issues at hand.

Gray said he believed there were issues the Planning Board could address.

If appearances before the Planning Board do not resolve the dispute, each man would next have the opportunity to make their cases before the Norway Appeals Board.