OTISFIELD – Selectmen voted Wednesday to support a proposal to control erosion and better protect Thompson Lake.
Jim Bishop of the Thompson Lake Environmental Association told selectmen that Thompson is a high-risk, high-priority lake, and that heavy spring rains have washed away roads and driveways on the west shore.
Bishop hopes that these facts will help the TLEA to win a grant under the Federal Clean Water Act. The association will request about $40,000, which will require a match of about $27,000. The money will be used to implement 12 to 15 conservation practices in the Silvaqua area on the west shore, which includes Loop, Shore and Park roads.
The proposed two-year program will include education and assistance for property owners. In addition, the town will be asked to upgrade roads and drainage in the area. If TLEA is awarded the grant, plans must still be approved by selectmen and Road Commissioner Richard Bean before residents vote on the matching funds at town meeting.
In other actions, selectmen appointed Thomas Moore to the SAD 17 Board of Directors. Moore served on the Searsport School Board before moving to Otisfield.
Asked by selectmen to comment on the current state of the district and its budget, Moore questioned putting a new roof on the Fox School in South Paris when a new Paris school is being planned.
Selectman Mark Cyr reported that the town has purchased a used diesel tank for the fire station. The tank, with a cover and pump, cost $500.
Cyr estimated that it will cost an additional $700 to $1,000 to install the tank. Residents appropriated $10,000 toward the purchase of a tank at last year’s town meeting.
Fire Chief Garry Dyer said that last Saturday’s hazardous materials drill was successful.
“We learned a lot,” he said. “We learned that we have to learn a lot more.” He added that the town should be proud of its fire department, which now doubles as the hazmat team.
In other business, resident Jean Hankins of the Otisfield Historical Society expressed concern that selectmen do not have printed agendas available before its meetings. She said Waterford is the only other area town that does not inform the public of its agendas, and urged selectmen to change the practice.
“It would be good for the public, good for the press, and good for you people to do it,” she said.
Selectmen had no response.
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