CHESTERVILLE — Voters at a special town meeting Thursday night approved spending up to $3,500 from the undesignated fund to pay penalties to the IRS related to payroll taxes.

Chairman Guy Iverson said the Board of Selectmen is still looking into the situation. He said it involved town payroll taxes and he doesn’t believe it is a criminal situation. 

“It may be paperwork or a personal error. We’re not sure which,” he said. “The bottom line is if we don’t pay, more money will be needed.”

“The payments themselves are all caught up,” Selectperson Anne Lambert said.

The interest continues to grow, and the issue is in the hands of the attorneys, Iverson said.

Town attorney Frank Underkuffler was not available this week.

Iverson assured residents that taxpayers would be notified once selectmen had an explanation, perhaps by posters in local businesses and at the Town Office.

Iverson said there would be some attorney fees involved.

The article to ratify a six-year lease for two photocopiers failed 15-17. 

Selectmen entered the lease three years ago but did not have voters ratify it. At the time, Maine Municipal Association advised it was a bad deal but the board did it anyway, Iverson said.

“It was never put out to bid. I fought it, it was me against four,” Iverson said.

The contract is $160 per month for six years, for a total of about $12,000, a resident said.

Town Clerk Heather Wheeler said the previous copier was so old it was hard to get parts and there is a security risk with leaving people in the office alone.

Iverson said a key to the office could have been given to those needing access.

“If we have an employee we don’t trust, that person shouldn’t be here,” he said.

Resident Kathy Gregory said she stands behind the selectmen, even though she doesn’t like every decision that’s made. She said she didn’t want to renege on the agreement and suggested asking the company if the contract could be changed or shortened.

Former Selectman Scott Gray said it was done underhanded.

“As moderator, I would suggest the board contact MMA about what to do next,” Craig Stickney said.

“It’s pretty poor that three years have gone by before this was brought to the townspeople,” a resident said.

[email protected]