DIXFIELD — Selectmen are expected to meet with the Mexico Sewer District Board of Trustees within the next few days to work out an agreement on the ownership of the sewer main running under the Webb River Bridge.

The meeting and agreement are important because of the town’s requirement to borrow money for a new sewer main once the bridge is replaced.

The Maine Department of Transportation plans to begin work on the $2.8 million bridge replacement next year.

The sewer main connects Dixfield households with the line that runs to the Mexico Sewage Treatment plant. If the town can establish ownership, then the interest rate for the nearly $100,000 it must borrow would likely be about half what it would be if the town doesn’t own the line, Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said.

Once an agreement has been reached, the town will go to the bond bank for financing.

In other matters at Monday’s board meeting, selectmen awarded the sale of a 1985 aerial firetruck to the Woodstock Fire Department at a cost of $2,100. The funds will be applied to the Dixfield Fire Co. reserve account.

Also on Monday:

* Former Mexico police officer Dustin Broughton was hired as a reserve officer for the Dixfield Police Department.

* The board approved the 2011 water and sewer budgets. The water budget came in at $369,707, which is about $40,000 more than the previous year. The approved sewer budget was $166,580, down about $200 from 2010.

The regularly scheduled board meeting of Dec. 27 was canceled. The next regular meeting will be Jan. 10. However, a special board meeting will be called when a sewer agreement has been reached.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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