DIXFIELD – Town Manager Tom Richmond hopes to get Severy Hill Road fixed once and for all.

Assisted by public works Director Tim Hanson, Richmond is applying for a premitigation grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for about $300,000 to get the job done.

The 1.7 mile long road has been paved and patched for years. If the grant comes through, Richmond said not only will the road be ditched and paved, but it will also receive a new base.

Hanson said the town would likely have to come up with about 10 percent of the cost if the grant comes through.

The application must go into the federal agency, via the Maine Emergency Management Agency, by Jan. 31.

Richmond said the hill is already on the Oxford County mitigation listing.

During Monday’s semimonthly selectmen’s meeting, Richmond said his office is setting up packets to be presented to Maine Rural Water in anticipation of a water rate increase approval from the Public Utilities Commission.

He expects a $20 per quarter increase in the basic rate.

In other matters, the board:

• accepted the resignation of Wayne Putnam, the town’s licensed plumbing inspector; Mexico’s public works director, David Errington, will fill the slot until a new inspector is hired.

• agreed to buy a projector for use during budget presentations; funds will come from carryover in the town’s computer account.

• learned that 15 mph signs have been posted along the all-terrain vehicle trail; the town’s policy limits speed to 10 mph. The 15 mph signs will be removed.

• learned of a water main break at McGouldrick Park last week. Richmond said about 91,000 gallons of water poured from the line before being it was repaired.

• learned that a new computer program will enable customers to pay their water and sewer bills at the town office after the first of the new year; and

• will begin negotiating a contract for highway department employees at the first of the year. Their contract expires on July 1, 2008.