MINOT — Town Administrator Arlan Saunders told selectmen Tuesday that the flooding problem on Shaw Hill Road could only be solved by a major upgrade to the culvert at Indian Brook.

“What’s there doesn’t even take care of a five-year flood,” Saunders said.

He reported that he had contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey to do a hydrology survey for Indian Brook at its Shaw Hill Road crossing. According to the USGS report, the five-year flood flow at that point is 213 cubic feet per second.

“But what’s there now can handle only 200 cubic feet,” Saunders said.

A proper system should be capable of handling Indian Brook during a 50-year flood, which, according to the report, would produce flows of 449 cubic feet per second.

Saunders estimated a 6- by 8-foot box culvert would be needed.

“And you’re going to have to build the road up,” he said.

Saunders further noted that he had spoken with the Maine Emergency Management Agency and it appears it would go along with fixing the problem once and for all, rather than dealing with a washed-out road every few years.

“This means we can apply for a grant. I’ll keep you posted,” Saunders said.

In other business, selectmen awarded the bid to redo the fire station roof to Corporate Construction of Sabattus. Its bid of $3,325 was the lowest of the four received.

Selectmen also learned that it would cost the town nearly $4,500 to own the propane tanks it leases. Payback on this investment would be about 10 years, so selectmen decided to continue leasing and buying its propane from Webber Energy.

Selectmen authorized Saunders to have the town’s 1998 International plow truck repaired at an estimated cost of $9,871.

The plow truck, which the town bought used for $26,000 has only 60,000 miles on it, shows no rust and appears to have years of service left. However, its frame, according to Saunders, is inadequate to the task, having broken three times.

Selectmen figured $9,871 for a new frame would be a bargain.

“We can’t buy another plow truck for $10,000,” Selectman Dan Gilpatric said.

Saunders reported that the town’s road crew has nearly completed work on Brighton Hill Road and that everything is on schedule for paving to begin on June 14.