NEW GLOUCESTER – Selectmen on Monday granted an easement to the Village Store in Lower Gloucester and approved advertising the sale of three foreclosed land parcels. They also approved a fire pond policy for the dam on Stevens Brook and named four roads to be paved this summer.

The Village Store was unanimously granted an easement to construct a septic system on the the town-owned former Lower Gloucester schoolhouse lot that is vacant. It’s next to the store.

The easement will help resolve an emergency septic issue. It requires a one-time payment of $1 to the town and submission of the completed plan details with location measurements of the system.

The board also agreed that three landlocked tax-acquired properties owned by the town will be advertised for sale.

The properties, formerly owned by Douglas McAtee of McAtee Excavation on the Pond Road, reverted to the town for nonpayment of taxes.

The town has an ordinance, which was amended by voters in 1999, to govern tax-liened properties. Bidders must pay all back taxes, interest and costs incurred by the town. Selectmen will make the final decision on awarding them.

The parcels include a 13-acre lot off the North Pownal Road, a 5.75-acre tract off the North Pownal Road and 12 acres off the Durham Road.

Bids will be accepted no later than Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. and opened by selectmen at 7 p.m. A final award will take place Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.

The lots will be advertised in local papers, the town’s website and the community access television station, Channel 3.

Selectmen have the right to reject any or all bids.

Full payments for awarded bids shall be made no later than Aug. 27. The town will issue a quitclaim deed and not be responsible for the condition of the property or any personal property that may be present. Abutters will also be notified of the sale.

In other business, a paving award was granted to Pike Industries, the low bidder at $67.89/ton.

Selectmen agreed to pave the long section of the Bald Hill Road, both sides of the Tobey Road, Church Road and a section of the Morse Road before Labor Day.

Finally, resident Steve Hathorne’s plea to maintain the Stevens Brook Pond on Gloucester Hill Road paid off. He turned over 240 signatures to the board from residents who want to save the pond, which is used for fire suppression and recreation and is currently suffering from faulty dam maintenance issues.

The board agreed to a Stevens Brook Fire Pond policy to maintain a reasonable water level year-round. The town will install dam planks as needed for fire protection and summer fishing.

The town’s Highway Department will remove the planks only when there is storm overflow or an emergency situation, or when dredging, fire pipe maintenance, culvert and bridge work are required. The town will dredge the pond and maintain the culvert/bridge as needed to maintain the pond for fire protection and summer fishing.

During the past 50 years, the Fire Department took care of the dam, but now Public Works has agreed to take over the task.

The pond is a popular fishing spot for youngsters and is stocked with fish by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. In the winter it serves as a popular skating site.