JAY – Selectmen voted Monday to install about 755 feet of new sewer line on Pineau Street.

The town hadn’t planned on replacing it, Sewer Superintendent Mark Holt said, but it was damaged during a new water line installation project.

It wasn’t entirely the contractor’s fault, Holt said; the sewer line wasn’t where it was shown on the map. “When they went up and blasted,” Holt said, “they blew up a lot of the sewer line.”

What wasn’t blown up was damaged when construction crews were digging up the road, he said.

“Basically, the line is plugged right now,” Holt said, “but (sewage) is flowing through cracks and crevices.”

The cost of the new line is estimated at $45,000, Holt said, which would include installing 755 feet of 8-inch line.

Holt said contractor C. H. Stevenson Inc. of Wayne anticipates $18,000 to $20,000 unspent at the end of the town’s contract with them.

The town has hired the company to do road work and sewer line installation in conjunction with the Livermore Falls Water District’s installation of water lines.

The remaining $29,000 would come from the state revolving loan fund at the end of the project by way of change order. That figure does not include money to cover inspection services, Holt said.

The town borrowed about $5.1 million several years ago estimated to cover upgrading wastewater treatment plants and sewer pump stations and there is still about $230,000 left to use, Holt said.

Other action conducted by selectmen included:

• Approved an amended mutual aid law enforcement agreement between Jay and Livermore Falls that clarifies language and gives responding officers the authority to handle a complaint if the respective town’s officer is busy.

• Authorized Police Chief Larry White Sr. to buy a computer to replace one that is freezing up because of the amount of information it is required to process. White wanted to take the money from the Department’s Capital Reserve Fund of $65,852 but selectmen told him to take the $1,500 or so from his regular budget with the stipulation that he could come back later if he needs more money to run the department. White said he would be back because last year he only returned $100 to the general fund and budgeted frugally again this year.

• Granted a variance to Gary Bryant to build a storage shed within 40 feet of the center line of Beech Road. Selectmen have authority to grant a variance up to 25 feet from the center line.

• Appointed Donna Labbe and Greg Pottle to Ambulance Committee. Names were taken in order of contact.

• Agreed to accept Jay Firefighters Association’s truck and trailer for insurance purposes.

• Signed posting papers to reappoint Mary Howes to the Planning Board and John Chouinard, as an alternate member.

• Reappointed Randy Easter to Spruce Mountain Committee.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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