LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted Monday to authorize the town manager to speak against a proposed state highway study that would make the town responsible for maintaining some state roads.

Town Manager Jim Chaousis said the town was not initially considered in the study but now is. If the study is enacted, it would make Livermore Falls responsible for winter and summer maintenance of a portion of state highways within the town, he said.

The state Legislature commissioned the study to have the DOT examine the “current road classification system to determine if the division of maintenance and repair responsibilities over state and local roads need to be simplified in order to improve customer service and maximize investment decisions.”

The study work is ongoing and there is a meeting on Thursday that Chaousis plans to attend to express the town’s objection.

Currently, the DOT contracts with the town to plow 1.6 miles of centerline road, Chaousis said. The state is saying the town is now is in the classification of urban compact, which would make the town responsible for summer maintenance as well. That would include an additional 30 catch basins, Chaousis said.

The study calls for Livermore Falls to be responsible for highway routes including 4 and 133, from the Jay line on Route 4 to Isaacson’s Lumber on Route 133 and Church Street, he said.

Currently the town pays $6,000 a year to clean the catch basins it has, he said.

“We would lose money with this and gain more responsibility,” he said.

The town has a small highway crew and is not equipped to change catch basins on Route 4, Chaousis said.

Both Selectmen Alphonso Barker and Chairman Bill Demaray said it seems like another shift in responsibility at local taxpayers‘ expense.

In other business, selectmen voted to increase Code Enforcement Officer Rob Overton’s hourly rate from $16 to $17 because he has completed his certification. He works 10 hours a week, Chaousis said. The wage increase was budgeted.

The board also voted to accept an anonymous donation from a citizen of a pet respiratory kit with oxygen masks that comes with training information. The donor wants to remain anonymous but would like to see firefighters trained on the equipment at no cost to the town, Chaousis said.

Selectmen also authorized Chaousis to hire a mechanic for the Public Works Department.

The board also heard from Jug Hill Rider Snowmobile Club President Tim Fournier that the club would pay off the remaining money the club borrowed 17 months ago to buy a 2009 snowmobile. The club grooms the trails within the town.

The club had already paid $3,000 back to date, Fournier said he would bring a check Tuesday to pay off the remainder. The machine was to cost $8,037.

Voters agreed in April 2009 to transfer $6,891.74 from the town’s surplus funds and keep $1,145.26 from excise tax reimbursement for the year 2008-09. The club had planned to pay off the remainder through excise tax reimbursement.

dperry@sunjournal.com