JAY – Town Manager Ruth Marden gave selectmen good news Monday.

The town is set to receive more than $61,000 in grant money to cover some expenses during heavy snow and rain in December and to buy communications equipment.

The town is expected to get at least $28,820 for the winter storms.

Selectmen voted to put the money in a Highway Department reserve fund for equipment.

The department’s reserve is expected to be depleted once the addition is put on the town garage.

The Jay Police Department has received $32,800 in two grants: A $12,800 Homeland Security grant will help the police and fire departments purchase communication repeaters and $20,000 from the Maine Emergency Management Agency will buy new radios and a communication base console for the Police Department.

Selectmen commended officials for applying for the grants.

In other business, Marden told selectmen that the town and North Jay Water District had applied for an urgent-need grant from the State Planning Office.

The state denied the application for $60,000 but Marden and District Superintendent Richard Jackson appealed and went to present their case.

The $60,000 is needed to move the North Jay water main that is under a residential septic system.

The town, district and resident Clover York Johnson are involved in a lawsuit over the matter.

The septic system over the waterline that provides fresh water to North Jay residents is in violation of state drinking water law and subsurface waste disposal rules.

Though the state hasn’t given an answer on the appeal yet, Marden said, she was told by state officials that the selectmen should set up a special town meeting.

Selectmen voted to hold a special town meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, April 26, at the Community Building.
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