Selectmen add Penn Rhodeen easement for voter consideration after discussion of culvert risks

Penn Rhodeen asked the Selectmen for a town easement to permit his OBD discharge pipe to pass under Indian Point Road via the town culvert. The board discussed the legal and liability implications of routing private sewer discharge through a town drainage feature.

Town Manager Billings told the board she had advised Mr. Rhodeen to obtain necessary abutter easements and that the town’s preference was for property owners to install their own culvert sleeves so the town would not assume maintenance or liability. After discussion, Selectman Evelyn Duncan moved and Selectman Travis Fifield seconded a motion to add an easement authorizing the OBD pipe to the 2021 Annual Town Meeting warrant with specifications for road-cut standards; the motion passed with a 3-1-1 tally (Brewer opposed; Steed abstained). The motion includes a note that the town is not responsible for maintenance or future liabilities associated with the private pipe.

TM Billings and board members said the matter will be revisited when abutter easements and DEP approvals are confirmed, and that voters at town meeting will make the final determination.