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Lancaster planners discuss 6-inch water-line easement to serve 79 Main Street LLC and pump-station upgrades
Summary
Water/Wastewater Supervisor Timmy Bilodeau told the Select Board about a proposed easement for a 6" water line across the municipal parking lot to serve 79 Main Street LLC, energy-upgrade options at the main pump station, delayed manhole repairs until 2026, and a Nov. 14 deadline for lead-and-copper notification letters.
The Lancaster Select Board heard updates Nov. 3 from Water/Wastewater Supervisor Timmy Bilodeau on infrastructure work that will affect municipal parking and water operations. Bilodeau described a proposed easement for a 6" water line that would cross the municipal parking lot on Bunker Hill Street to serve 79 Main Street LLC for fire suppression; Town Manager Jessica Cyr explained the easement was presented to the board and noted Highway Foreman Tim Brown said the street may remain gravel until paving plants reopen in spring.
Why it matters: The easement affects public parking property and fire-suppression service to a private building; the board must balance operational access, winter paving constraints and long-term pavement restoration timing.
Bilodeau also updated the board on audit-driven energy improvements at the main pump station. He said he met with contractor Weston & Samson, which recommends rebuilding the existing sanitary pumps if the impellers are in good condition and installing high-efficiency submersible motors that could eliminate about 40 feet of driveshaft. Bilodeau said he is awaiting a proposal, and that he will need to encumber funds previously appropriated at town meeting so the work can proceed in 2026.
On other infrastructure, Bilodeau said a contractor cannot complete traffic-circle manhole work in 2025 and that temporary repairs will be used until the job can be done in 2026; he noted additional manholes need attention before winter.
Bilodeau also provided an updated list of homeowners for lead-and-copper notifications and said Town Clerk Charity Baker will prepare and send letters once water bills go out; Cyr noted the deadline for those letters is Nov. 14. Bilodeau referenced Gorham's use of a Vactor truck to assess pipe materials as a helpful model for Lancaster's planning.
What was decided: The transcript records discussion and information sharing; no formal board vote on the easement or pump-station work is recorded in the minutes. Highway Foreman Tim Brown's concurrence with leaving the street gravel this winter was noted.
Next steps: Staff will await the contractor proposal for energy upgrades, encumber appropriated funds for 2026 work as required, and prepare the lead-and-copper letters for mailing by Nov. 14.
