Albany Township residents dissatisfied with rising taxes, too many junkyards, the cost of roads, confusing emergency services and other problems recently aired their concerns at a forum with state and county officials.

The forum Sept. 25 followed a discussion in August by Oxford County Commissioners Lisa Keim of Dixfield, Sawin Millet of Waterford and Timothy Turner to Buckfield on efforts to make Albany Township an incorporated municipality in response to rapid growth and requests for services.

By the end of the three-hour forum, officials had a greater awareness of the concerns and problems facing residents, residents had a better understanding of government’s role and next steps were being considered.

Residents split into groups, each hosted by officials armed with large sheets of paper and ready to take notes.

About a dozen residents pulled their chairs around Ben Godsoe of the state’s Land Use Planning Commission, who moderated the “housing and public health” table.

“There are trailers and other structures with no wastewater systems or permits,” resident Steve Smith said.

Roberta White took it further: “(One) establishment has no water, no septic. Wastewater is running into Portland’s water supply.”

Joanie Kimball voiced frustration over junkyards and lax permitting.

“People come to Albany and think they don’t need a building permit,” she said, recalling a homeowner on Songo Pond who had to dismantle part of his permit-less house.

At the “junkyards” table, two Maine State Police detectives tried to clarify enforcement limits.

“The state can’t force someone to clean up their property,” Detective Ron McGowan said. “It takes a court order.”

“It’s a civil violation,” added Tony Carter, supervisor of unorganized territories for Oxford County. “They’ll only get slapped on the hand.”

Over at the “emergency services” table, neighbors Dick and Sandy Dion sat with Dean Abby of Proctor Pond in the township.

“The lack of services, I didn’t mind — it harkens back to a simpler time,” Abby said. “But when you’re asked to pay inordinately for that simpler time …”

Abby said his property taxes have jumped 60% — to $3,600 — for his two acres.

“The reason why UTs (unorganized territories) exist is because a town can’t function on its own,” explained  UT Fiscal Administrator Chip Jones. “So they share costs among UTs. Whether the model’s broken or not — that’s not for me to say.”

As for ambulance coverage: “Just to be on call in your UT, that cost has doubled,” Jones said.

“Without notification it reminded me of King George and his Stamp Tax,” Abby said. “We are just telling you, you have to pay. We’re not going to bother to tell you what, if anything, you’re going to get for the increased cost.” He said he feared his neighbors who are on a fixed income would have to move.

Over at the “parking lot” table, residents jotted down concerns on sticky notes. By the end, taxes led the list.

Others items read: “Intimidation by neighbors: yes, it’s a big issue”; “RVs being used for full-time living”; and “Better public notification.”

Despite the long list of complaints, there was one point of agreement by the end of the meeting: Communication needs work. A second forum and a centralized township website — with “one-stop shopping” — were floated as next steps.

Still, not everyone was convinced.

“It’s how bureaucrats work,” said resident Paul Hausman, who left after 25 minutes. “They throw these trial balloons, get people jazzed up, looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.”