Oxford Board of Selectmen

Nov. 16, 2017

Oxford Town Office

Sewer project

What happened: Brent Bridges, PE, senior vice president of Woodard & Curran, told selectmen that approximately $400,000 to $500,000 remains in the grant money for the $28 million wastewater treatment plant project. The money must be returned unless it is used to extend the project that is now winding down after nearly five years.

What it means: Bridges told selectmen that the money could be used to extend the sewer line from Route 26 to the Oxford Pines Regency on Skeetfield Road. The project would allow some 150 mobile home owners to tie into the town sewer. A pump station would be constructed near the trailer park and would be connected to the park through the cost of the Oxford Pines Regency owner. Homeowners would then pay the cost of individually hooking into the system. The town would be responsible for the pump station and hooking it in from Route 26.

What’s next: To continue with the plan, the owner of the Oxford Pines Regency must first agree to his share of the costs. If he agrees, the board will then continue with its discussion.

New selectman

What happened: Caldwell Jackson was sworn in by Town Clerk Beth Olsen as a new selectman at the beginning of Thursday night’s meeting.

What it means: Caldwell, who beat out opponent Samantha Hewey in the Nov. 7 special municipal election, will fill out the remaining two years of a term vacated by former Board of Selectmen Chairman Scott Owens.

What’s next: Two more select board seats will be up for grabs at the annual town election in June. Hewey has said she will seek one of the two seats.

Junkyard approvals

What happened: Selectmen unanimously approved junkyard permits for Ayotte’s Used Cars and Parts and Oxford Auto Salvage.

Abatements

What happened: Selectmen approved several abatements on the recommendation of the town assessor, including one in the amount of $8,300 that resulted in a tax reduction of $122.01 and a second abatement for another property owner that was approved in the amount of $2,107.54. That abatement was due to a data entry error.

Caldwell Jackson sat in on his first meeting after being sworn in Thursday night as a member of the Board of Selectmen. (Leslie H. Dixon/Advertiser Democrat)