OXFORD — During last Thursday’s selectmen’s meeting Town Manager Adam Garland presented the with a final report on the pilot program Oxford’s Sewer Department ran from 2023-2024.

The one-year program was developed as a way to increase public sewer revenues and consumer customers. Starting in August of last year, residents could qualify for grant funding to pay for installation when signing up for new accounts.

The system had 273 pipe connections available in parts of town where utility lines ran, some with a capacity to serve as many as 19 sites.

One obstacle for new customers that Oxford had identified was the process to find contractors with the agility to do installations. As part of the program, Sewer Department Superintendent Zhenya Schevchenko developed a list of preferred service providers for homeowners to work with.

Garland reported that 23 hook-ups were installed through the grant program, with extensions provided for two accounts that had not been completed by the time it expired in August. He said there is still $67,000 in the grant fund but does not advise continuing the program. Instead, the money will be used to provide loans for future customer installations.

Selectmen approved five property tax abatements, for a total of $1,268.56.

Town Clerk Wendy Fryberg begins her retirement Dec. 31. Kathleen Dillingham, who has been deputy clerk since completing two terms as Maine state legislator, has been named as Fryberg’s replacement.

The board approved Dillingham’s appointment as registrar of voters, with her spouse, Select Board Vice-Chair Dana Dillingham abstaining from voting.

Oxford currently has two town office jobs posted: one for deputy town clerk and one for finance director. Holly Heyman, who was recently hired as finance director, is moving and has resigned the position.