Groton - Six of the 67 candidates seeking municipal office in Groton owed motor vehicle, personal property or real estate taxes as of Friday, according to town tax records.

One candidate was current but paid late, records showed.

The candidates include a Democrat running for Board of Education; three Republicans and two Democrats seeking seats on the Representative Town Meeting in Districts 1, 3 and 7; and a Republican RTM candidate who paid her taxes late.

Joseph Schick, a Democrat running for the school board, owes $2,730.37, the first installment of real estate taxes due on 274 Benham Road. He could not be reached to comment.

Roscoe Merritt, a Democrat running for RTM in District 1, owes $1,622.57 in real estate taxes on 19 Birmingham Court this year and $978.57 for last year. He owes $151.25 in motor vehicle taxes on a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt and $295.07 on a 2011 Ford Ranger.

In an emailed response to a request for comment, he wrote, "As always, I consider my taxes as my personal business and will not remark on them other than to say they are being paid, not shirked, as one might imply." The tax collector's office said Merritt is making payments although he does not have a formal payment plan.

John Espada, a Republican running for RTM in District 3, owes $342.08 in motor vehicle taxes on a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer and $57.36 in personal property taxes. Espada, reached while out of town Friday, said he didn't realize any were outstanding but would look into it as soon as he returned Wednesday.

"I thank you for letting me know," he said. "I don't remember being behind on anything."

Lisa Luck, a Democrat running for RTM in District 3, owes $452.78 in motor vehicle taxes on a 2006 Toyota Camry. She could not be reached to comment.

Lynn Crockett Hubbard, a Republican running for RTM in District 7, owes $293.12 on a 2009 Volvo S60, a bill she disputed. She said she paid the taxes in July to register her car.

The tax office said Monday the amount was still owed.

Hubbard also said she believed publishing tax information about candidates is an invasion of privacy. "I think it really stinks," she said. "I think it's intrusive."

Scott Newsome, a Republican running for RTM in District 7, owes $99.07 on a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan and $80.22 on a 1995 Toyota Corolla. He said Friday, "No excuse."

One candidate owed motor vehicle taxes as of Sept. 3 but has since paid. Nancy E. Gilly, a Republican running for RTM in District 1, paid $219.11 on a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe and $138.44 on a 1997 Subaru Impreza on Sept. 12.

She could not be reached for comment.

Property tax records are public under state law.

d.straszheim@theday.com