Resident’s request to run discharge through town culvert prompts Selectmen to recommend separate private sleeve or town‑meeting easement

A property owner’s request to run a septic discharge (OBD) pipe through a town culvert prompted Selectmen to caution that the town generally prefers private runners and that any use of the town’s culvert may require formal easements and a town‑meeting vote.

Penn Rhodeen raised the issue during a Selectmen meeting, asking if the town would permit his OBD pipe to pass through a culvert. Town Manager Billings said the town prefers that owners provide their own culvert sleeve to avoid the risk that a plugged or damaged town culvert would make the town financially or operationally responsible for private plumbing. Selectmen discussed the need for abutter easements and specifications to protect town road standards.

Why it mattered: Allowing private drainage through a town-controlled culvert can create maintenance obligations and legal exposure if the pipe plugs or settlement occurs, officials said. The town indicated it would consider an easement on the Annual Town Meeting warrant only if required abutter permissions and construction specifications were in place.

Board direction: The Selectmen instructed staff to identify requirements and, if necessary, place an easement article on an upcoming town meeting warrant contingent on abutter easements and adherence to road-cut standards.

Next steps: The manager said she would follow up with the property owner and legal counsel to verify whether a road‑cut easement and the necessary abutter permissions are available before the Selectmen would place the matter on a warrant.