TURNER — Selectmen on Monday warned owners of properties that are under tax liens that the town will take them if payment arrangements aren’t made.

“Those whose property is in foreclosure need to make arrangements with the Board of Selectmen to repurchase their property well before Aug. 14, or the town will take possession of the property. If they don’t come in and make arrangements, they don’t care,” Chairman Angelo Terreri said.

One resident met with selectmen Monday night to make a payment agreement.

“We don’t want your house,” Terreri said.

“But I do!” the resident replied.

Selectman Kurt Youland said the town should treat each case individually, taking into consideration the resident’s ability to pay and the amount owed.

Selectman Ralph Caldwell made it clear that selectmen wanted to be good neighbors. He said in years past residents have made agreements, but then failed to keep up payments after a few months.

“I would rather get something for a year than a lot for six weeks,” he said. He favored making payments manageable for the residents.

Selectman Dennis Richardson told the resident meeting with the selectmen, “We want something we know you can afford to pay.”

Selectmen expressed concern that many residents did not know they were qualified for a Veterans Exemption from property tax. A veteran who served on active duty during a recognized war period, is at least 62 years old, or is receiving any form of pension or compensation from the government for total disability should contact Town Clerk Becky Allaire to see if they qualify for the exemption.

Public Works Director Jack Moultrie reported on work done during the past month. He said the Turner Center Community Church has applied to maintain the roadside on a section of Route 117. While it is a state road, the town must go along with the agreement before the state will approve the application. The selectmen asked Moultrie to bring the details to the next meeting.

Moultrie also reported on the recent inspection of the Transfer Station by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. He said the DEP inspections are like shooting at a moving target.

“Things that are OK at one inspection are criticized at the next,” he said.

Moultrie said items that had nothing to do with the environment, such as culverts outside the facility and hinges on the gates, were cited by the inspector.

Selectmen agreed to meet at the transfer station for their own inspection the next time a roll-off container is removed from the compactor so they can inspect under it.

Terreri said selectmen will work with the DEP to come into compliance. Since they are considering major changes in waste disposal, such as curbside pickup and single-sort recycling, they are hesitant to make major investments in the present system at this time.

Voting on the SAD 52 budget will be from 1 to 7 p.m. May 21 in the Town Office.