DIXFIELD — Selectmen approved a Hazard Mitigation Plan proposed for all Oxford County towns and unorganized townships by Allyson Hill, director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency.
Joining with the county’s other towns in the plan provides one way to apply for grants for the repair of some of Dixfield’s areas that are prone to flooding, fires, snowstorms or other natural disasters.
As part of joining with the county’s plan, each town must identify several such areas. Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said most of the town’s dirt roads fall under the criteria, as does the town garage, which is in the floodplain, and roads such as Severy Hill, Norton and Merrill.
In other matters, a legal opinion has settled a question surrounding the Outdoor Market, the committee that organizes it, and insurance liability.
Skibitsky said in order for the townwide event to be covered, the Dixfield Economic Development Council must officially be appointed by selectmen. The Outdoor Market Committee is a subgroup of the council. Once the council appointments are made, the committee and event will fall under the town’s insurance.
Skibitsky said the council appointments will be made at the next board meeting June 18.
The question arose when the leadership for the Outdoor Market changed. Norine and Ralph Clarke, who have headed up the daylong event for many years, decided to turn the organization over to others this year.
“The town needs more involvement for the event to be covered by town insurance,” Skibitsky said.
A set of bylaws for the Economic Development Council will be devised prior to the council’s next meeting set for May 31.
In a bridge/sewer line replacement matter, Skibitsky said the Maine Department of Environmental Protection notified the town that just over $31,000 of a loan for extending the sewer line will be forgiven, rather than the lower figure of $6,000 estimated previously.
In another economic matter, Clarke said Bullrock the Moose is almost ready to be displayed at the edge of the Village Green. The first Bullrock rotted from inside a couple of years ago.
Peru resident Ted Walker expects to have the town’s new mascot completed by June 8. A dedication ceremony will take place the week after.
Insurance and numerous fundraisers paid the $5,000 cost of the new Bullrock.
Selectmen also said goodbye to board Chairman Stephen Donahue at Tuesday’s regular selectmen’s meeting. He is not seeking re-election.
Donahue served the past three years, and for two years in the early 2000s. He and Selectman Norine Clarke devoted many hours to researching and writing a wind turbine ordinance for the town.
“You are one of the nicest groups of people I’ve ever known,” Donahue told the board at the end of the meeting.
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