Selectmen agree to place Penn Rhodeen easement request on town meeting warrant

The selectmen voted to add an article to the annual town meeting warrant to address an easement request from property owner Penn Rhodeen seeking to run an OBD septic discharge pipe through a town culvert on Indian Point Road.

Rhodeen told the board he would prefer to route his discharge through the existing culvert; selectmen raised concerns about town liability if the culvert plugged or the pipe became damaged during road maintenance. Town Manager Billings and multiple selectmen expressed a preference that Rhodeen either construct his own private sleeve or seek formal easements from abutting property owners and the town before starting work.

After discussion the board approved a motion to place an easement article on the town warrant so voters can authorize any public-rights crossing and establish conditions; the motion passed with one member abstaining. The board emphasized that any approval will need to specify installation standards and make clear the town is not responsible for future maintenance costs or liabilities.

Selectmen asked staff to coordinate with legal counsel and to confirm that any required agreements from abutters are in place before the article is finalized for the warrant.