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Property owner seeks permission to run septic discharge under Indian Point road; selectmen favor private sleeve over town culvert use
Summary
Property owner Penn Rhodeen asked to route his septic (OBD) discharge through a town culvert. Selectmen repeatedly said they prefer Rhodeen install his own culvert sleeve or obtain easements; board members warned town liability if the town culvert is used and noted that a town‑meeting easement may be required.
Penn Rhodeen raised a request with the Board of Selectmen to run his on‑board discharge (OBD) septic pipe through a town culvert under Indian Point Road. Rhodeen said he sought assurance the issue would be on the town meeting warrant for 2021.
Town Manager Billings and selectmen expressed concern about allowing private wastewater to run through town drainage. Selectwoman Evelyn Duncan said a private sleeve or separate culvert is preferable so the town would not assume maintenance liability or be exposed if a plugged or damaged privately owned pipe affected town drainage. The board discussed that any use of town right‑of‑way for a private discharge would likely require formal easement documents and possibly a town‑meeting vote.
At earlier meetings managers and the owner discussed alternatives and easements with abutters. Selectmen requested that Rhodeen secure necessary abutter easements and provide required specifications for any road cut; TM Billings said she would follow up on required technical standards for installation and bring the item back for further action and, if needed, town‑meeting authorization.
