HARTFORD — Road Commissioner Jeremy Johnson told selectmen Thursday night that he will begin work on Ricker Hill Road as soon as he gets clearance on hundreds of feet of buried phone lines.
Hartford allowed Oxford Networks to bury phone lines in the road right of way many years ago, and according to Selectman Chairman Lee Holman, these lines have cost the town every time there’s a need for road improvement.
Johnson said when they were working on Tucker Road it cost the town more than $2,000. He said an excavator hired to do work had to sit beside the road while underground lines were being checked out.
Holman said the phone company could have used Central Maine Power poles but it would have cost them money.
“Instead it is costing the town money,” Holman said.
The Recreation Committee has offered to buy gravel to put on the railroad bed trail to fill in holes that are a safety hazard to hikers. There was some discussion over whether recent logging done in the area had caused more damage to the trail.
Holman asked Johnson to take a look at the trail and see what could be done to make it safer so she could get back to the Recreation Committee.
Selectman Jack Plumley asked the Code Enforcement Officer to go with Johnson because of possible environmental concerns.
Holman is looking to update the appraisals of town buildings for replacement costs.
Tom Hamilton was appointed to the Planning Board, but an alternate is still needed. There is a need for two Solid Waste Committee members.
Judy Hamilton announced Lake Days which will be Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Hartford Town Beach starting at 11 a.m. There will be raffles, games, eats and beach activities. The event is sponsored by the Lake Association and proceeds will go to the Anasagunticook Dam fund.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
