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Select Board tables MaineDOT RO‑system agreement amid liability concerns
Summary
The Select Board reviewed a draft agreement with MaineDOT to replace a proposed community water line with reverse‑osmosis systems. Residents and board members raised concerns about unlimited town liability and enforceability; the board voted to table the agreement pending full‑board review and legal counsel input.
The Belgrade Select Board on Jan. 20 discussed a draft amended agreement with MaineDOT that would pivot from a community water line project to installing household reverse‑osmosis (RO) systems for affected properties.
Staff said the earlier estimate of about $1.25 million for a community water system has been replaced in the draft by a current estimate around $1.1 million for the RO option; the draft also includes language allowing the town to spread payments over 10 years. Staff cautioned, however, that unknowns could push costs back toward the higher estimate and that the draft retained the original calculations for comparison.
Multiple residents and board members expressed strong concerns that the draft places uncapped financial liability on the town. One longtime resident warned the agreement reads like “meeting notes” rather than an enforceable contract and said the town should insist on dollar caps and clearer limits to future claims. Several speakers also pointed to two sources of contamination—salt from stockpiles and road salting—and argued the state retains significant responsibility for road‑salt contamination.
Town counsel and staff noted a previous, larger water‑system agreement had been canceled and that the new approach reduces the town’s exposure compared with earlier proposals. Nonetheless, board members said they need more time to review contract language and to consult legal counsel on enforceability and liability caps; one member advised against acting without the full board present.
The board moved and voted to table consideration of the MaineDOT/RO systems agreement until their next meeting in February, directing staff to compile questions and to ask legal counsel to review the draft before any vote. The board also discussed preparing a warrant article for June town meeting if voters are required to authorize initial payments.
Next steps: staff will collect board questions and coordinate legal review with town counsel and Phil; the board expects the item to return for discussion with the full membership and counsel before any authorizing vote.
