Wiscasset is now the owner of all the properties that once belonged to Mason Station LLC, except for the power plant, which Mason Station owns, and the spec houses, which were sold to a new owner last summer.

The properties were foreclosed upon in stages, with the final foreclosure taking place on Dec. 29. The town is considered a reluctant owner, and as such cannot be forced to clean up the properties. It must disclose the issues to any prospective buyers.

According to Wiscasset Town Manager Marian Anderson, the check for the back taxes due on the power plant arrived on Dec. 23, and Cotter sent an email to the selectmen at about the same time.

“They didn’t pay the back taxes for the other properties at the site,” she said. “Just the power plant.”

National RE/Sources, doing business as Mason Station LLC as well as other names, came up with the funds to keep the plant in the company’s hands, but the remaining properties, including the waterfront properties, now belong to the town.

In May, the town did some testing of properties it had already obtained through tax foreclosure at the site.

Joe Cotter, principal for Mason Station LLC, proposed in an email to the selectmen that the site could be used for a recreational marijuana site, including plant-growing, sales and a resort catering to those interested in recreational marijuana.  Now, with only the power plant left to them, it is unclear whether the proposal could be carried out as envisioned.

It is also unclear how Mason Station LLC intends to finance the cleanup of the site that would be required before any such operation could commence in the plant.  Attempts to reach Cotter or National RE/Sources were not immediately successful.