Dublin Christian Academy is working with the Select Board to address over $147,000 in owed taxes that have accumulated since 2013.
Head of School Eric Moody approached the board on Monday with two checks: $22,191 to address current taxes, and $56,887.97, a combination of $32,351.97 to clear back taxes at the school’s property at 121 Page Road and $24,536 in previous payments owed for the school’s other properties.
“I apologize, I should have met with you earlier,” said Moody on Monday to the Select Board. “It was never my intention to disrespect you or the community.”
Moody told the board that the school has plans to address the remaining dollar amount in the near future, a process that involved securing a loan from Mascoma Savings Bank and selling a 30-acre portion of the school’s property at 121 Page Road.
Moody said the school has received an offer from a loan from the bank and is awaiting appraisal. Moody said the school was given a window of five weeks to complete the appraisal.
Should the loan go through, the school will pay the remainder of the taxes immediately. If not, a different loan will be sought.
Moody also told the board that the school has a closing on the land sale next week, which could help pay off taxes.
Dublin Christian Academy is private Christian academy that serves students from preschool through 12th grade. The school is located at 106 Page Road.
In July, the Select Board approved to have Dublin Christian Academy make 24 monthly payments of $6,134, but had received little communication from the school in the following months.
“We do not want to be in the land acquisition business,” said board chair Walt Snitko, during the meeting. “We want to make sure both sides stick to the deal.”
The board also met with Police Chief Tim Suokko, the CIP committee, and a group of veterans led by Leo Plante at its Monday meeting.
Suokko came to the board for his monthly check in, telling the board that the department might have a potential candidate for the final full-time police officer position.
The CIP committee presented a new document it has been working on to help better organize future town capital expenses. Committee member Dale Gabel called the previous spreadsheet “cumbersome.”
Gabel said the document is currently a good reflection of the town’s needs now, but more work is needed to be a good reflection of future needs.
Plante approached the Select Board requesting help in getting a flagpole in the town cemetery. The pole would be paid for, installed, and maintained by local veterans. Selectmen said they wanted to speak with the cemetery committee before any vote took place.