http:
www.laconiadailysun.com/story/sewer-line-failure
Most likely, a shut-off valve on a 12" diameter sewer pipe is a gate valve which has a stem and a large turn knob, all very similar to a gate valve on a 1 1/4" pipe coming off a boiler in an older private home.
Here's what to do; go to the FAMILY DOLLAR and buy an extra large boater's size jar of VASELINE in the baby care section for about $2.25, and rub vaseline onto the handle stem. Then open and close the old valve about ten times so the vaseline gets inside the valve and onto the top of the gate.
Then, do just like your friendly local plumber and donate your labor, and present the $2.25 receipt to the sewer pipe owner!
Hey, some very smart plumber once said that an ounce of maintenance is worth a pound of cure!
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Supposedly, the New Hampshire Dept of Environmental Services had their budget cut by the current legislature so the NH-DES needs violation fine money to cover their department's operating expenses.....like those 6-gal plastic water bottles that set on top of the water cooler, or basic office furniture like chairs and tables. Hey, just try running a state agency when your budget has been trimmed way down!