By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — With about half of the $500,000 funding to protect groundwater spent, the Casco Board of Selectmen discussed what to do with the other half.

On Tuesday, both the selectmen and residents in the audience expressed a desire to keep in place a septic system replacement grant program for low-income citizens — even if that meant budgeting new funds for that.

In fact, there was mention of raising the income threshold for residents who qualify for the program. In another suggested change to the program, the town manager recommended the town provide cost upfront rather than having homeowner pay for it first and then get reimbursed by the town. Lastly, the board decided to raise to $15,000 the amount of the grants since the cost of septic system has risen since the program was established.  

“If it is truly a grant program: Who has the $12,000 to pay upfront and wait months for a reimbursement,” Casco Town Manager Tony Ward said.

The other consideration is using the groundwater-protection fund to address roads in ill repair that are near bodies of water. 

Currently, about $278,000 is remaining from the Tenney Hill Waste Oil Reparation Settlement fund that was at one time monitored by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Ward said. 

Selectman Grant Plummer had requested the topic be on the agenda because there has been very little use of the septic system program.

“For a little history: This is a $500,000 settlement based on business in town that had some challenging practices dealing with waste oil,” Plummer said.

“The state gave the town $500,000. The DEP controlled that money and told us what we could and couldn’t use it for,” he said.

“Over time, we hadn’t done anything with it. Things like replacing septic systems, improving runoff control close to lakes, ditching and changing courses of water are all of significant importance. We started doing that work. The septic system program came into place. If it is not a successful program we are using a lot, maybe we should do something else,” he said.

There was talk about diverting those funds to ditching efforts or putting in box culverts — infrastructure upgrades that would in essence protect groundwater as well as water quality.

“Mayberry Hill Road flushes into Thompson Lake in a couple places. If we did it right once and not go back three times this summer because of rain events. Let’s take some of that money and do some [flooding] locations and get a few years out of our work,” Plummer said.

Selectman Rob MacDonald spoke.

“We should make sure that the low-income people in this town can get a septic system replaced,” he said, adding he would hate to tell residents that selectmen changed their minds and discontinued the grant program.

“As we all know, ditching and culverts are very important in protecting water,” MacDonald said.

Chairman Scott Avery agreed ditching is needed and would protect water quality.

“With all the rain we have had this year, ditching is a big part of it. I have no problem setting money aside for that,” Avery said.

Resident Tuan Nguyen shared his thoughts. “I personally feel we should keep the program. We just neglected our ditches and our roads. I would prefer to pay for that and have funds available for people who need help. A failed septic system could have a serious impact. I think the select-board should consider keeping this fund into perpetuity,” Nguyen said. “We have a lot of people living on the waterfront who aren’t millionaires. The home has been in the family for generations. They are on fixed incomes. They might need help.”

Chairman Avery continued his train of thought.

“We know our responsibility is to come up with a budget that is feasible for the taxpayers of the town, but for the last 15 years we have not put enough money into our roads, and it has caught up with us,” Avery said. “An unpopular decision to dump money into the roads. Coming up with next year’s plan, I think we need to do more.”

Like everywhere else, the town is dealing with its paving and road repair budget not stretching as far, Town Manager Ward said.

“Four years ago, the town budgeted $120,000 on roads. This year, 870,000 was approved for roads and it’s still not enough to make up for long-term. The infrastructure is going to be pricey. But, we are making steps toward it,” Ward said.

Avery said, “The steps need to be drastically bigger.”

On the heels of his comment, Plummer said, “We need to double step.”

Ward pointed out that DEP is no longer dictating how the town can use funds so some can be diverted to ditching and road repair — if the board so decided.