Dixfield had been paying into an system they had opted out of years ago.
By Terry Karkos
Staff Writer

DIXFIELD – An unexpected windfall of about $250,000 should arrive in town coffers this week.

Town Manager Nanci Allard learned about the money – Dixfield’s share – that for many years has been sitting in a Maine State Retirement System account.

She told selectmen Monday night that the town opted out of the system many years ago by town meeting vote. But apparently, no one remembered to recover the money.

An attorney, who looked into the matter recently at her request, advised Allard that the town could still get its money back.

“It’s money that was raised every year to pay retirement, but everyone opted out of the system and took their money,” she said.

In other business, selectmen were dismayed to learn that Dixfield doesn’t have enough fire hydrants spread around town to fight a fire.

An ongoing engineering study of the town’s water distribution system also revealed an abundance of 1-inch and 2-inch water lines. Allard said that means the town can’t install fire hydrants, because fire suppression requires 8-inch lines.

Selectmen also learned that the amount of water firefighters would need to fight a fire cannot be drawn from some of the town’s fire hydrants, due to the small lines.

This distressed Daley. He said that the town’s hydrants were creating a false sense of security.

“I always assumed you can put a line on any hydrant,” he said.

Additionally, the board learned the town’s hydrants did not comply with a painting rule, according to Fire Chief Scott Blaisdell

He said fire hydrants are normally painted different colors to indicate the amount of gallons that can be pumped out of them. But in Dixfield’s case, no one knows how much water can be drawn from the hydrants.

Neither does anyone know the hydrants out of which water can’t be drawn.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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