DIXFIELD – Selectmen got a chance to look at proposed changes to the power lines that run through the southern section of town when they met Monday night.

Larry Benoit, a representative from Bernstein Shur Government Solutions of Portland, and environmental scientist Stephenie Swieszynski of TRC Environmental Corp. of South Portland, described Central Maine Power’s plans to upgrade power lines throughout much of the state.

Dixfield has about 2,000 feet of CMP transmission lines near the end of Canton Point Road and is one of 80 municipalities that must provide approvals for the upgrade.

Benoit said power use has nearly doubled since the last major upgrade in 1971.

A series of formal applications will come before the town during the next few months, including shoreland zoning approval from the town’s Planning Board and a building permit from the town’s code enforcement officer.

The existing 45-foot high double poles in Dixfield will be replaced by 75-foot high single poles, Benoit said. The existing 150-foot right of way for the poles will not be changed.

In other matters Monday, Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said the board met in a nearly one-hour closed session to discuss upcoming union negotiations with the five-person public works bargaining unit. Their one-year contract expires at the end of June.

Selectmen will meet several times with the union during the next couple of months to try to settle a new labor contract.

Also, Skibitsky said the revenue outlook for the town as the annual budget is developed appears to be less than in previous years. He said the town stands to lose more than $31,000 from state revenue sharing and about $138,000 from excise taxes if a citizens’ referendum is passed calling for cutting excise taxes by 50 percent.

He said he plans to develop a responsible budget and does not anticipate staff cuts.

The board also agreed to settle a quit-claim deed with property owner Jeff Dill. He agreed to pay $30,778 for property taxes, interest, costs, and water and sewer charges on two buildings off Weld Street, known as the Holman estate.

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