Springfield Selectboard authorizes town crews to replace plugged culvert, plans lien to recover costs

The Springfield Selectboard voted on Sept. 22 to authorize town crews to replace a plugged culvert at a private driveway and to recover the value of labor and materials by placing a lien on the property.

Neal of the Highway Department reported the culvert at Roland Follansbee’s property is rusted and plugged, causing multiple washouts of the town road and a neighbor’s driveway this spring. Neal said he visited the site multiple times and that the culvert currently allows only a trickle of water to pass.

Selectman Steve Dzubak moved to authorize the Highway Department to perform the replacement using town labor, with Police Department staff present and paid for special duty, and to place a lien afterward for the value of the work; Jen Roberts seconded. Steve and Jen voted in favor. The motion includes the Police Department’s special duty time in the total amount for the lien. The board said the town will notify Mr. Follansbee in writing of the date and time for the work.

Mr. Follansbee did not appear for his scheduled appointment. According to board minutes, he has maintained that he "felt he was being falsely accused of things" regarding responsibility for the culvert; the board said culverts deteriorate over time and property owners bear responsibility for maintenance.

Why it matters: The board’s authorization permits town crews to address an infrastructure hazard quickly while reserving the town’s ability to recover costs from the property owner, a standard municipal remedy when private infrastructure failures affect public ways.

What’s next: The Highway and Police departments will select a date for replacement, notify the board, complete the work, and the town will place a lien to recover labor and material costs as determined by the Highway Department.