LISBON — The town may be able to avoid a $22,000 fine imposed by the Department of Environmental Protection, council members learned Tuesday night.
The fine was included in a proposed consent agreement sent to the town last fall, although councilors were not aware of it until April. The proposed agreement was a result of two sewage spills, both in 2012, and in recognition of the fact that the town had no written operation and maintenance plan.
Instead of signing the agreement in April, council Chairman Fern Larochelle urged Sewer Superintendent Ryan Leighton to try to work out another agreement with the state.
Leighton reported at Tuesday’s council meeting that he has proposed that the town spend $17,000 on a supplemental sewer project.
Councilor Mark Lunt welcomed the news, saying, “It certainly makes a lot more sense to keep the money in the community instead of sending $22,000 to them.”
The council also approved the sewer budget of just under $1 million for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1.
In addition, Leighton said the town now has the written operation and maintenance plan the DEP requires. He said the plan was developed with the help of a consultant and paid for with money in this year’s budget.
The $997,493 sewer budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year includes a slight increase in the septage disposal rate for contractors who pump out septic systems to $115 per thousand gallons, but the current residential rate of $5.35 per 100 cubic feet will stay the same.
The council also approved buying a 2014 Freightliner sewer vacuum truck. Voters earlier this month approved spending up to $315,000 on the new equipment, which is expected to be delivered in the fall. Leighton said he recommended the highest bid that was submitted — $315,000 from C.N. Wood Co. — because the service department for the unit is in Westbrook. The service department for the other bidder, New England Municipal Equipment, is in Bristol, Conn.
Councilor Lisa Ward asked if there is other equipment that must be added after the truck has been delivered.
“No,” Leighton said, “But we’ll try to sell our other truck. We’ve spent more than $4,000 getting it fixed, and we’ll use it until the new truck arrives. I’ve heard there’s some interest from surrounding communities in buying it.”
The council also approved awarding a contract for a sewer-pipe burst project that will replace a sewer line on East Avenue and Center Street. Leighton explained that a 310-foot heavy plastic pipe 8 inches in diameter will be put through the existing 6-inch pipe. As the new pipe is forced through the existing pipe, the old pipe breaks apart.
Only one bid, for $20,320 from Ted Berry Co., was submitted for the project. Leighton said money for this would come from this year’s budget.
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