Selectmen Approve $500,000

For Middle Gate Water Line

By Jan Howard

The Board of Selectmen Thursday morning voted unanimously to approve a resolution appropriating $500,000 for design and construction of a water main extension of United Water’s system to the Middle Gate School.

The Board of Finance was to discuss and take action on the resolution at its meeting Thursday night (after press time). The proposal also requires action by the Legislative Council and voters. Funding for the project could be rejected by any of these bodies.

The Board of Education unanimously approved funding for the Middle Gate Elementary School waterline on March 2. In November, the Board of Finance had reinstated the water line as the number one priority in the five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). In February, the Legislative Council approved the CIP with the water line remaining as the top priority.

The need for the water line, originally proposed for the CIP for the 2005-06 fiscal year, became an issue late last year because of continuing water problems at the school and other issues, such as the need for a new well, replacement of water tanks, and expiration of a permit for a uranium backwash system. Bottled water has been supplied to the school since last fall.

In July 2003, the water line connection was submitted for review to the Board of Finance by the Board of Education as one of three capital school projects proposed for a town meeting vote. Later, the Board of Finance narrowly approved the water line in a 3-2 vote, with one member absent. The Legislative Council then voted 10-0 to reject the proposal, with two members absent. Following that rejection, the water line was reinstated as a priority item in the CIP for fiscal year 2004-05.

According to the resolution, the $500,000 appropriation for the design and construction of the water line would include, but not be limited to, engineering design fees, plans and specifications, rights of way, easements, construction costs, testing, inspection, resident representation services, site work, construction contingencies, and for administrative, printing, legal, and financing costs related to the project.

To meet the appropriation, $500,000 in bonds of the town are to be issued, which would mature not later than 20 years after their date. The amount is to be the town’s share of the cost after considering the estimated amount of state and federal grants for the project.

The resolution also calls for the issuance of $500,000 in bonds of the town for temporary borrowings pending issuance of the bonds.

The resolution authorizes the first selectman and the financial director to make temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the bonds. The resolution also authorizes the first selectman to apply for and accept federal and state loans and/or grants for the project.