WATERBORO – On Tuesday, selectmen amended Waterboro”s driveway entrance ordinance because they felt it was costing taxpayers too much money.

In 2015, the Waterboro Board of Selectmen approved an ordinance that outlined the method for installing new driveways, detailing the permit process, construction standards and more. Under the terms of that ordinance, the owner of the property was to pay for the culvert, but the Public Works Department would install it at the town’s expense.

At the time, Selectmen Board Chair Dennis Abbott said Tuesday, the selectmen felt having the proviso that Public Works Department install the culverts would ensure the work was done properly.

But having the department complete the installation costs the town – and therefore the taxpayers – somewhere between $1,000 and $1,200 per driveway, he estimated.

Town Administrator Gary Lamb said about 20 driveways had been installed this year, so far.

“It has become a fairly significant tax burden because the property owner is just paying for the culvert”, said Abbott.

The amendment proposed that the property owner pay all costs associated with culverts and surface drainage required by the public works director. Selectmen on Tuesday said the property owner would choose their own contractor to complete the work.

A public hearing drew no comment but during deliberations, former selectman and former public works director Douglas Foglio said he wasn’t sure the amendment was a good idea. He said if culverts aren’t properly installed, problems can result.

“Once (the culvert) is installed, the town owns it forever,” Foglio pointed out. He said the board should give the issue more thought.

Abbott noted the ordinance sets out standards for installation and that property owners won’t receive an occupancy permit if the standards aren’t met. He said as well as costing the town money, the process is also frustrating property owners who have to wait to get the work done because the Public Works Department has a small crew.

Selectman Dwayne Woodsome said he agreed with Foglio. He said if the culverts aren’t properly installed, drainage problems can ensue.

If the amendment ends up causing other problems, Abbott said, it can be revisited. Until the 2015 ordinance was developed, property owners installed their own driveway culverts, he said.

The amendment passed 3 to 2, with Woodsome and Selectman Gordon Littlefield dissenting.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.