BETHEL — The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Monday evening to award Cross Excavation of Bethel a contract to upgrade water and sewer lines and repave part of Vernon Street.

Town Manager Jim Doar said the company submitted the lowest bid, $1,073,285.

He said the company will install a new sewer pumping station, upgrade the water and sewer lines and repave part of the street.

“Although it’s not a part of Cross Excavation’s contract, at some point in the future, we’ll be putting sidewalks in,” Doar said.

Selectmen also voted to adopt a resolution that would place them on a list of towns seeking to have FEMA rules changed.

Doar explained that many towns attempted to file for FEMA money following the ice storms that hit Maine at the end of December 2013 and the beginning of January, but learned that FEMA had changed its rules to not specifically cover ice storms. He said road treatment costs due to snow and ice were no longer prerequisites for towns to become eligible for federal assistance.

“I’m not sure what good it’ll do to adopt the resolution, but I think it’s important,” Chairman Stan Howe said.

The board agreed and voted to approve and sign the resolution.

Town Clerk Christen Mason updated the board on who has taken out nomination papers for town positions. She said as of April 14, incumbents Pat Carter and Lloyd Sweetser, and Gabe Perkins and Aaron Crockett had taken out papers for selectmen.

Selectman Don Bennett has taken out nomination papers for an assessor position.

Roberta Taylor has returned papers for SAD 44 director.

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