LIVERMORE — Voters at Wednesday’s town meeting overwhelmingly approved appropriating up to $400,000 to build a sand and salt shed. The vote was 103-1.

Selectperson Tom Gould said the town is listed as a priority three on the state’s list for needing a shed. The reasons are the outdoor pile is sitting over a sand and gravel aquifer, it’s within 2,500 of drinking water wells and water tests done by the state in 1999 showed chloride levels rising.

The town would be reimbursed 37.2 percent of costs through a Maine Department of Transportation program.

“The new priority means the town qualifies for state assistance, but we need to do something,” Gould said. 

If plans are not in place by Aug. 1 and the building is not built by Aug. 1, 2017, the town will be subject to Department of Environment Protection action.

Selectperson Megan Dion said the Maine Department of Transportation told her no waivers would be given.

Some residents expressed concern about cost overruns on the project, but Gould said the contractor would be liable.

The state will send the reimbursement check as soon as the building is complete and the sand mix is in it, Gould said.

One resident asked what would happen if the site is not used.

Dion said there would be no state funds available and a site would have to be purchased, but the town would still be third on the state list.

“Yes, it’s a lot of money,” resident Robert Pidacks said. “The shed will pay for itself. Every snowstorm will save money — savings in time and labor. Less sand will be needed as it will all be usable,” he said.

The $128,622 raised for office administration includes paying for a temporary office worker.

A motion to raise $300,000 for major road improvements failed. Instead, $330,000 was approved after Selectperson Mark Chretien said the town was quoted $320,000 to finish the River Road to Strickland Ferry project. The additional $10,000 would be spent on cold patch.

Also approved was $62,000 to purchase a new truck to replace one that will not pass inspection. Originally, up to $100,000 was requested, but Chretien said he priced a 2017 F550 4 by 4 diesel with plow, gear and dump body for the lower amount.

The municipal budget of $1.41 million was approved.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net