Citibank is seeking repayment of nearly $26,000 in credit card debt from Selectman Michael Schneider appears to be looking at Schneider's 9 First Avenue property as payment.

The development may shed light on a reason for Schneider's sudden disappearance.

The Selectman's home appears empty. He has missed two consecutive regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen meetings and one special meeting of the board. Schneider's colleagues say they haven't heard from him since the town's National Night Out event on August 2.

Last fall, Citibank sought civil action against Schneider for debts of roughly $3,535 and $21,600. When Schneider failed to appear in court, a judge ruled in favor of Citibank and the Selectman was ordered to pay the original debt plus interest charges, for a total of approximately $25,800.

Citibank has since applied for "supplementary process," which would allow the bank to look at Schneider's property for payment of the debt.

Schneider, however, did not attend a court hearing on September 1. According to Massachusetts law, the next step would be for the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Whether a warrant had indeed been issued could not immediately be confirmed.

It is unclear whether Schneider will return to his Board of Selectmen seat, which he secured after receiving the second-highest number of votes in last April's election.

Schneider's son answered the door at the family's home on Tuesday long enough to say that his father is "fine" and is in Florida. Others say they have been told by family members that the Schneiders' destination was Maine.

Phone messages left for Schneider weeks ago were not returned. When the number is called now, an automated message states: "The party you are trying to reach is not currently accepting phone calls at this number."

Schneider also did not respond to messages sent to his town-issued and personal e-mail accounts.