Selectmen await judgment on Hebron Academy case

HEBRON — Lawyers have two weeks to complete their arguments about whether the Robinson Ice Arena at Hebron Academy is subject to taxation from the town, said members of the Hebron Board of Selectmen on Monday.

Hebron Academy filed a lawsuit in December 2010 against the town after the town demanded property taxes for the Robinson Ice Arena. 

"They've got two weeks to make their arguments to why they feel they've prevailed," said Selectman Dick Deans."The judge will take all that information, plus all the stuff that was submitted in court, and make his judgement sometime in December."

On November 22, Hebron Academy argued in Oxford County Superior Court for tax-exempt status for its ice arena, which the town alleges the school runs as a business. A lawyer for the town of Hebron argued that under Maine statute, the academy does not qualify for tax-exempt status, according to published reports.

According to the town, the school's request for an abatement for 2009 taxes was denied because the school had missed the deadline to file for the abatement.

Selectmen said Monday that it will take two weeks for justice Robert W. Clifford to make a judgment.

"We won't have to go back to court, I don't think," said Selectman Jim Reid. "I think they are just going to write why they think we should win, or [why not]."

"As far as how we are dealing with the academy going forward, we are asking them to ... fill out [a form] for them to explain the usage of their properties for tax purposes," said Selectman Dan Eichorn. "Then we have to make a decision based on what they say for their usage. ... We will see what the guy in the black robe has to say."

In other news, the board:

• Announced that it is proceeding to repair the damage to two doors caused by the November 12 burglary. Deans said that insurance will pay for the damage.

• Signed tax abatements for a resident who was overtaxed for land he didn't own and for another resident who was taxed for a garage she didn't own.

• Announced that it had one more interview to do before hiring a new road crew member.