DIXFIELD – Selectmen appointed Mexico Water District operator Jim White as interim operator of the Dixfield water system.
Selectmen Chairman Tony Carter said on Tuesday that a special meeting of the Mexico Water District trustees, Dixfield selectmen and the Dixfield Water Advisory Committee has been set for 5 p.m. Monday, March 20, to continue discussion of possibly contracting with Mexico to operate the system.
“We’ll see if it makes financial and operational sense to contract the operation of the Dixfield Water Department,” he said.
“The decision would be subject to approval by the Mexico Board of Trustees.”
The move to consider contracting out the service was prompted by the resignation of Dixfield water operator, Duane Powers, who leaves his job next Monday for a similar position in another town.
Carter said he had thought of the possibility for quite some time as a potential cost savings.
Also, he said, the Mexico Water District has a good reputation.
According to a draft agreement proposal, Dixfield could contract water services from Mexico at an annual cost of $38,000.
Public Works Director Tim Hanson estimates a savings to the town of more than $30,000 annually.
Carter said the agreement would include such things by the Mexico Water Department as daily rounds, record-keeping, meter reading, water testing, hydrant flushing, and snowplowing and mowing.
Dixfield would continue with such tasks as billing, and chemical and water testing supplies purchase.
At Monday’s board meeting, White said, “I believe we can provide a decent service for a decent price. It would be a win-win situation.”
Carter said the proposal is a work in progress, although he said a vote may be taken to contract the service at Monday’s meeting.
“It’s worth looking at,” he said.
In other matters, selectmen set the annual town meeting for Thursday, June 1, at Dirigo Middle School.
The board also heard a report from David Harvey, chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, on the status of the revision of the town’s comprehensive plan.
He said the committee and a representative from Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments have been working on the document for several months.
The revision will not be ready in time for resident action at this year’s town meeting, but it will be ready for June 2007.
He said a public informational session will be scheduled for later in the spring. The required public hearing will be held at a later date.
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