PERU — The Worthley Pond public spring tested positive for coliform bacteria last week, and selectmen closed it as of Monday, Oct. 23.

Testing will continue, but in the meantime, Selectman Kevin Taylor said on Oct. 23, that he doesn’t recommend getting water from there.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, coliform bacteria are unlikely to cause illness, but their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms, or pathogens, could be in the water system.

In other business last week, the board approved a new policy written by Road Commissioner Brad Hutchings that allows residents to control whether a town plow truck can turn around on their land.

Taylor said the board wanted a paper trail and thought having written permission would be beneficial because of complaints and alleged property damage in the past.

“If (the landowner) doesn’t sign, they’ll find somewhere else to turn around,” Taylor said.

Town officials will get legal advice from the Maine Municipal Association regarding a request from some High Street residents who want compensation for work they’ve done on the street.

Ed Patenaude of High Street attended the Oct. 16 meeting to request tax abatements, because he and a few others have been maintaining High Street since 1997.

Selectman John Witherell pointed out the recent work done to the road, including ditching, with widening and a turnaround in progress. He suggested it should “even things out.”

Patenaude disagreed, saying it doesn’t equal 20 years of work.

Taylor, also a resident of High Street, suggested cutting the tax bills of Patenaude and the other residents involved in half for three to five years, but Selectman Larry Snowman said the board only goes year by year and future boards can’t be expected to accept a decision a previous board made.

Chairwoman Raquel Welch said additional research needed to be done and she would contact Patenaude when there’s more information.

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