River viewing platform possible

DIXFIELD- At last week's selectman's meeting, Skibitsky brought an option to selectmen in terms of the bridge abutment that could be used as a viewing platform of the river for visitors crossing from Mexico to Dixfield.

“It's a nice place to take pictures and would be a real attraction for people wanting to fish from it,” noted Skibitsky.

Selectmen Norine Clark and Katherine Harvey both agreed that it would be a great vantage point for travelers and requested Skibitsky to write a letter to the D.O.T. in the next few weeks to explore options to keep the abutment for town use.

Skibitsky noted that the town would most likely have to maintain it, but it would be the job of the state to fix it up to safety standards. Adding, that he would send out a letter of request.

In other business, as the result of a too-close call with a sewer pipe earlier this year, the town selectmen are finding themselves having to research how to get another loan to fix the damage done when construction workers, while digging for fiber optic cables, punctured a sewer pipe.

“D.O.T. took full responsibility for the mishap,” noted town manager Gene Skibitsky. “We have yet to know if they will foot any of the bill for the extension, but everything is lining up for the repair. Unless there's a hold up, it looks like we're going to get this extension project done this summer before paving begins.”

Back in 2009, the town voted to approve selectmen to seek out and secure a $250,000 loan in order to upgrade the sewer lines when the bridge was replaced. Selectmen will not have to go back for a second vote, since they will have to sign an amendment to the original plan with DEP to secure funding for the mishap.

The bridge project is slated to be complete by the end of October, but the crews are looking at working longer hours and possibly on Saturdays during the summer months.

The Nash sidewalk project is being researched. Currently, the question is whether or not there is enough room for a five-foot sidewalk, while still leaving room for the 12-foot clearance requirement by the school for the football field.

“I think we're okay,” noted Skibitsky. “I believe we have enough room, it may be just a matter of shifting the goal posts on the field. But, we'll know soon if that has to be done.”

The sidewalk would allow safer pedestrian traffic between the high school and central office.