Ossipee selectmen authorize Concord meeting on DES septic rule, approve tractor purchase and other measures

Ossipee’s Board of Selectmen voted to send town representatives to Concord to press state Department of Environmental Services officials to reconsider an administrative rule that will close local septage lagoons in 2031, and approved a series of other operational measures including a tractor purchase funded in part with FEMA money.

The board’s action to authorize representatives to meet DES officials follows warnings by selectmen that closing the town’s septage lagoons would raise hauling costs for residents and reduce revenue the town currently receives from commercial haulers that subsidize the sewer system. The board voted to authorize Highway Department supervisor TJ, Town Administrator Matt, and the board chair to travel to Concord on April 2 at 10:30 to meet with the DES commissioner and staff about the rule and its effects on local hauling and sewer revenues.

Why it matters: Selectmen said the lagoon closure would force haulers to travel to more distant facilities in Conway, Farmington or Plymouth, adding expense for septic customers and reducing the town’s septic-hauler revenue stream that helps offset sewer costs.

In other business the board approved purchase of a replacement John Deere tractor and attachments for highway and grounds work. The total package — tractor, 60-inch heavy-duty snowblower, skid-steer adapter and protection plan — was listed in town documents at $63,172.32. After trade-ins and discounts, the board approved using $48,672.97 from FEMA funds…