OAKLAND — Until last week, Air Force veteran and cancer survivor John Ingraham, who lives in Massachusetts, hadn’t been to McGrath Pond for decades.

But in the last week Ingraham, who served with the 507th Tactical Control Group in Vietnam, has garnered local support as the town decides what to do with two camps that he lost after he couldn’t pay his property tax.

Help was included on the message on the marquee outside Decker American Legion on Church Street that read “Support John B. Ingraham.”

Unable to work after cancer treatment in 2007, Ingraham, who lives in Worcester, Mass., fell behind on property taxes on his inherited McGrath Pond camps. The town acquired the two Tilton Point Trail parcels in 2011.

The properties are now under contract and Oakland stands to make about $150,000 in profit. What councilors decide to do with the money will be discussed first in executive session at 5:30 tonight before the regular council meeting at 6 p.m.

Resident Anne Hammond called Oakland’s potential profit a great injustice.

Hammond said she doesn’t know Ingraham, but that she wanted to speak in his defense.

“The basic concept of taking advantage of the disadvantaged is just wrong,” she said.

Councilor Mark Fisher said Tuesday he would consider it to be municipal thievery if Oakland profits from the sale of the camps.

“As someone that has spent dozens of hours advocating for Mr. Ingraham over the past 18 months, I am not in favor of making any profit on a special needs veteran that has spent most of the past three years in a homeless shelter,” Fisher said.

Last week, Ingraham asked the council to consider giving him some of the proceeds from Oakland’s sale of the parcels.

Ingraham’s attorney, Robert Marden, said the money would supplement Ingraham’s income, which consists of Social Security retirement benefits and a veteran’s stipend.

Oakland attorney Michael Hodgins said since the council owns the property it can do what it wants with money from the sales.

Town Manager Peter Nielsen said Ingraham owed $11,508 in back taxes and that the town incurred about $18,500 in legal fees to deal with the matter.

The two tax-acquired properties are expected to bring the town $180,000.

Nielsen encouraged councilors to consider balancing its concern and empathy for Ingraham with its responsibility to Oakland and its taxpayers.

On Tuesday, Nielsen said that since last week’s meeting, the Town Office had received several emails from people about the matter, all in favor of returning money to Ingraham.

Beth Staples — 861-9252

[email protected]