TRENTON — Over the last several years, Hancock County Senator Dennis Damon (D), who is running for reelection, and his wife Bonnie have fallen behind on their property tax payments. The two-term senator, and his wife owe the town of Trenton nearly $20,000 in arrears taxes. The couple’s primary residence is among the outstanding liens.

The Damons have been working to catch up on their outstanding taxes, said town clerk Janet Muise, but have not yet paid off tax amounts due for 2006 and 2007. The delinquencies were noted under Mrs. Damon’s name in the most recent town report.

The Damon’s began to fall behind after Bonnie’s parents passed away, said Sen. Damon in a telephone interview on Friday. In their will, Mrs. Damon’s parents left their daughter several parcels of land that substantially raised the Damon’s tax burden. The Damons owe approximately $11,000 on their primary residence and $9,000 for additional property.

“I believe that because of our situation, I understand full-well what taxpayers face,” said Sen. Damon, who noted he is a longtime proponent of tax reform. “The property tax issue that I have worked so hard on is one that I know intimately.”

Sen. Damon estimates that he and his wife bring in a combined income of $60,000 and hold a tax burden of $10,000 a year. One way out would be to sell the land but the family does not want to let it go.

“This is a struggle that a Maine family has to try to hold on to family land,” said Sen. Damon.

This year, for the first time, he and his wife have asked their adult children to begin contributing to the property taxes on the family land. The family intends to work together to keep the land in their possession and to stave off additional tax liens, he said.