NORWAY — A special town meeting will be held for voters to OK accepting state funds to replace a sewer main, selectmen decided Thursday night. meeting.

The money is coming from a $10 million bond voters across the state approved a year or two ago, Town Manager David Holt said.

The money will be about half the cost of the $90,000 project, with sewer users paying the rest. The vote will simply give the board the OK to access the state money.

The 60- to 70-year-old sewer main crossing near Aubuchon Hardware at the intersection of lower Main Street and Route 26 needs to be replaced, Holt said. Although the pipe has been placed on rocks as a temporary solution, the rocks have been washing away.

“We need to get it done before some disaster happens,” said Selectman Russ Newcomb, who made the motion for the town meeting.

If the money is approved, the engineering would be done during the late fall or winter so the work could be completed in late summer when the water is low.

 The special town meeting is expected to be held in December.

The town also received a $2,100 Homeland Security Grant through the Maine Emergency Management Agency to purchase five portable radios for the Norway Police Department. The application was written by Norway police officer Jeff Campbell, assisted by Police Chief Rob Federico. Campbell said his radio wasn’t working well, Holt said.

The $2,119.75 award will improve preparedness and response capabilities for Homeland Security-related events.

Holt praised the initiative of the officer.

In other news, the board approved the following:

* Appointment of Barbara Payne to fill the unexpired term of Sherry Olmstead on the Norway-Paris Solid Waste Board; 

* Authority for Holt to have a tax-acquired mobile home removed in an attempt to recoup about $600 in unpaid taxes; and

* Update on hiring a new customer service person at Town Hall.

ldixon@sunmediagroup.net

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