DIXFIELD — After hearing from a representative of Ted Berry Co. about why selectmen should renew a contract with the company to maintain the town’s seven sewer pumping stations, Town Manager Carlo Puiia asked for a draft contract that could be discussed at the board’s next meeting.

Matt Timberlake, representing the Livermore company, recommended Monday night that the board renew its contract for another four years. 

The company was hired in 2007 to operate and maintain the system for four years. The contract was renewed for another four years and expires Dec. 31.

The town pays an annual assessment to the Rumford-Mexico Sewage District, which operates a treatment plant in Mexico. Dixfield’s sewage is pumped to the Mexico plant.

Timberlake said some pumping stations are approaching 40 to 50 years old. They were at or near failure when the company took over in 2007, he said.

“I figure we’ve probably saved you a couple hundred thousand dollars just by keeping the existing pumping stations from having to be upgraded,” Timberlake said.

He said the current contract was for $75,958, but because of the preventive maintenance that has been done, costs should be $13,000 to $14,000 less for the coming year.

Selectman Hart Daley said perhaps the Highway Department and the company could team up to maintain the system and save the town money.

Timberlake said there are some things the Highway Department could do, such as pump-station checks, but there are things they cannot do, such as cleanings and inspections.

emeisner@sunmediagroup.net 

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