BUCKFIELD — During Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, Pratt & Sons general contractors of Mechanic Falls were awarded contracts to replace culverts on Darnit and Purkis roads.

Construction will begin soon to replace culverts and will take three days for each project, said Selectman Sandra Fickett. The company’s bid on the two projects was the lowest, totaling $51,175.

The culvert replacement on Purkis Road will cost $23,975 for either a 48-inch or 60-inch diameter pipe. The price includes gravel and paving.

The 60-inch pipe option on Darnit Road will cost the town $27,200.

Each project received unanimous support from the board.

In other business, the board discussed the growing number of complaints about junkyards across town. Many are suspected to be operating without a permit.

“I think at some point, the town needs to start looking at what we can do to try to get people to clean up some of their stuff,” Town Manager Cameron Hinkley said.

Hinkley said the Town Office has received three to four complaints per week about the issue. Selectmen also stated that they have heard similar complaints from their constituents.

Junkyards could turn into a public health crisis if metals and fluids leak into the ground water and neighboring wells.

Hinkley added that the problem is getting worse.

The town will try to tackle the problem with code enforcement and encourage residents to file the necessary paperwork to obtain a permit.

With its first meeting in November scheduled for the same day as Election Day, the board agreed to move its Nov. 5 meeting up a week to Oct. 29.

Town officials praised the committee that organized Community Day, which was held this past Monday on Labor Day. The event featured a parade, many vendors and numerous activities.

Resident Judy Berg asked the board to consider what to do with the Old Church in the Hill and potential restoration of its steeple at a future meeting.

The Old Church on the Hill, which was originally known as the Union Church and sometimes Union Chapel, was built as a Universalist church between 1831 and 1832. Located at 77 High St., it was built with the cooperation of other denominations, which shared services.

Featured prominently on the town’s seal, the building was included on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Its spire is 91 feet tall.