OTISFIELD — Selectmen toured a dam at an old mill site on Wednesday and heard of repairs needed to bring the structure up to full efficiency.

The dam is part of the Robinson Mill property, which the town of Oxford took over last year due to nonpayment on a land installment contract. It controls the flow out of Thompson Lake, which is bordered by Oxford, Otisfield, Poland and Casco. Representatives from these towns also toured the property.

Town Manager Michael Chammings of Oxford said the dam’s log boom, which acts as a first barrier against debris, needs to be replaced since some of it has been dislodged. The grates in the dam also need to be replaced, since they are rusting and need frequent cleaning to ensure proper water flow. New decking also needs to be installed atop the dam, and a pylon supporting this walkway needs to be buttressed.

Chammings said entrances to the dam are locked for safety reasons, and the town has been maintaining normal water levels on the lake. Oxford is contributing $10,000 toward repairs, and asking each of the three towns on the lake to contribute $5,000.

“It’s going to take some money, but it’s going to be money well spent,” Selectman Rick Micklon said.

Oxford foreclosed on the mill property last year due to nonpayment of $244,920 in taxes over the course of three years. The town’s selectmen voted 3-2 to take possession of the 7.5-acre property after its owner, John C. Robinson, failed to make an $80,000 payment on an installment plan to pay off a $162,970.88 lien and keep the property out of automatic foreclosure.

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