WEST PARIS – Townspeople voted 20-15 Thursday to pay $7,500 to E.C. Hadley to settle a dispute over land he lost for nonpayment of taxes in 2001.
Selectman William Birney said the property was taken by the town because of delinquent taxes and sold to the West Paris Water District. Hadley offered to pay the overdue bill to get his land back, but selectmen said it was too late.
Hadley sued the town and the water district. The land is next to the town’s water supply off Pioneer Street.
After several court hearings, both sides agreed to the town and the water district paying Hadley $7,500 to settle the issue.
It was also agreed the water district will keep the land and Hadley will be allowed to take gravel from the area as long as he stays 2 feet above the water table.
If the town did not accept the agreement, moderator and former Selectman Wade Rainey said the issue would go to court in 60 days. In other action, an article turning over responsibility for the appointment of the fire chief to selectmen and the town manager for a year was approved. The article also included a clause allowing firefighters to make a nonbinding recommendation.
Selectman Wayne Theofrastou said, “If someone is qualified for the position and able to handle the job, he will have my support 100 percent. But the board will have the final say after it reviews all candidates,”
A third article was approved giving the selectmen authority to spend $2,500 as this year’s donation to the Growth Council of Oxford Hills. The issue was left off the annual town meeting warrant in March.
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