DIXFIELD — The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to permanently switch to using the Maine Department of Transportation’s fuel depot at the state shed on routes 2 and 17.

The town will discontinue use of its fuel tanks several miles away on routes 2 and 17.

Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said Friday that Dixfield decided to use the state’s fuel depot temporarily, because the town’s pumps are considered “antiquated equipment” and too expensive to fix.

“Everyone’s happy with it,” Skibitsky said. “What I’d like is to have you folks commit to the MDOT pumps so we can start the process of figuring out what we’re going to do with the fuel tanks in town, because if they sit there and rot, they’re not going to be worth anything.”

Skibitsky told the board that they could sell the tanks by bid, cut them up and salvage them, or use one to store waste oil.

“I can’t start any of those processes until I know you’ve finalized your decision,” Skibitsky said.

The board agreed to switch to using the MDOT pumps and investigate ways to get rid of the town pumps.

In other business, resident Dan McKay presented a list of articles he believes should be placed on the warrant for the annual town meeting. One would set a $5,000 spending limit on the board. Purchases for more than that amount would require a public vote.

Another article would allow residents to vote on a moratorium on wind development projects.

A third article would have town budget items decided by secret ballot in June, the same day as the school budget vote.

“Now that one will bring a lot of discussion, if it does get on the warrant,” McKay said. “It’s similar to what Rumford does.”

McKay also suggested to the board that the warrant contain an article that would schedule a debate among candidates for selectmen, who are elected in June.

“To me, these wouldn’t take much time during the town meeting,” McKay said, “You ask a question, get a vote — yes or no.”

The board also listened to a report from Chief Richard Pickett of the Dixfield Police Department, who said the department would be involved with National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 27. He explained that officers would be accepting any unused prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the department.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com