I was disappointed in the Hebron Academy litigation story (Dec. 9). While the quotes I gave regarding the relationship between the academy and the town are mostly accurate, they were merely in response to the headmaster’s claims and have nothing to do with the litigation.

Also, my final quote in the article, that more people outside of this area know Hebron because of the Redneck Olympics as opposed to the academy, is missing the other word I used — “unfortunately.” I don’t want people to think that I would rather have the town be known as the home of that annual gathering than as the home of the academy.

The litigation came about because both the relevant statutes and existing legal precedent make it clear that real property used by nonprofits such as Hebron Academy is only exempt from taxation if it is “used solely” for that nonprofit’s tax-exempt purpose. Once it was determined that the Robinson Arena was not being used solely for that purpose, the town of Hebron had an obligation under the rules of the state of Maine to tax the property.

Hebron Academy has chosen to pursue litigation in hopes it can change the legal precedent on this issue. The town of Hebron is involved in the litigation because of its duty to tax all taxable property under the rules.

The relationship between the academy and the town is beside the point and has no bearing on the question of whether or not certain parcels are subject to taxation.

Daniel Eichorn, Hebron

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