NORWAY — An Oxford County Superior Court judge visited the Opera House on Main Street this week to help him determine how much the town must pay former owner Barry Mazzaglia of Bitim Enterprises.

Town Manager David Holt said Oxford County Superior Court Judge Robert Clifford checked out the downtown edifice Monday afternoon to view its condition.

Since a portion of the sagging roof collapsed in September 2007 and the town took the building by eminent domain last year, contractors have stabilized the back wall and officials say they are much more confident it will withstand any heavy snow or ice load on the roof this winter.

The judge will hear arguments from both sides before determining the amount to be paid.

The town of Norway and Mazzaglia, of Londonderry, N.H., have disagreed on the value of the 1894 building, which has had no first-floor businesses since the roof collapsed, and no occupants or activities on the upper floors for decades.

Mazzaglia bought the landmark in 2003 for $225,000. In September, he had it appraised at $328,000 by J. Chet Rogers, a Hollis, N.H., appraiser. The town’s $185,000 appraisal by Patricia Amidon of Patricia Amidon of Amidon Appraisal Co. in Portland has been rejected by Mazzaglia on several occasions.

Both sides then agreed to let a judge decide its worth.

Mazzaglia was at the Opera House on Monday with his attorney, Durward W. Parkinson of Bergen & Parkinson LLC in Kennebunk. Also there were Norway Building Inspector Jeff Van Decker, Holt and the town’s attorney, Jamie Belleau of the Auburn firm of Skelton, Taintor and Abbott.

“The walk-through was uneventful and attorney Belleau speculates a hearing and decision to decide the value of the property will be held in March or April,”  Holt said. “The hearing date has been delayed due to Belleau’s schedule.”

It was initially expected to begin this month.

Bitim Enterprises is expected to call at least three witnesses, including Mazzaglia, who will testify as to the limited amount of repair needed to make the first floor of the Opera House rentable; Douglas Beal, owner of R & D Services, a contractor who was hired to evaluate the needed repairs; and the appraiser.

The town is also expected to call its appraiser, Al Hodson III of Resurgence Engineering and Preservation Inc. in Portland; Van Decker; and Mark Coleman of Environmental Safety & Hygiene Associates in Westbrook, according to court papers filed by the town’s attorneys.

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