Thank You Margaret for your reply.
Yes, my property was “liened" for non payment of road dues.
I allowed the process to happen because I was presuming that the lien process would occur in front of a judge and I would be able to explain the situation.
Unfortunately, the actual process was more draconian than I expected:
My association hired a lawyer for the process. His fees were attached to the lien.
His fee was $500 plus the delinquent dues for 2 years ($1000+).
Under advisement of counsel I paid the lien off.
I am glad I did: When discussing with the association president, he told me the plan, agreed to by the association officers, was to renew the lien every six months (adding interest, perhaps?).
This would basically mean adding another attorney fee of $500 for the new filing for each renewal.
Basically, I am dealing with some nasty people.
And all because I am not in the least given fair treatment from dues assessments which are “equal pay”.
Equal pay meanng that assessments are divided equally among the 30 owners on the road.
The road is 1.25 miles long.
My driveway is 228 feet in from the main road.
I am paying the same amount as the majority living at the end on the lake.
I do not have access to the lake.
Recently the president bought a used backhoe and did some ditching 1 mile down the road.
He billed us for over $1,000 for 8 hours of work.
His lot is a 2 acre lot. You would need to ask yourself why he would need to purchase a backhoe for such a small lot.
I believe that he has profiteering in mind.
But in any case you see that I am paying for maintenance that I will never see, use or benefit from.
The bottom line is Title 23 MRS 3101 needs clarification to prevent similsr abuse that I am experiencing.
Your idea that there needs to be a lien chain may be misconstrued: The renewal of a lien is possible anytime before 18 months and the amount may be adjusted.
That is my understanding and not advise.
And since you are nearby, I would like to invite you to our next association meeting where you can witness the democratic process gone awry, falling into more of a dictatorship.
Let me know.
Best regards.