Barre will have final hearing Nov. 26 on 2 water districts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2013 at 12:00 am

BARRE – The Town Board wants to hear from residents in two proposed water districts.

Town officials have been working on the two districts for most of this year. The board has applied for federal grant and loaning funding for the two projects.

There is a final piece before the districts can be finalized: a public hearing. Barre has held several informational meetings about Water Districts 6 and 7. On Tuesday at 7 p.m. there will be a final public hearing on the projects.

Water District 6 is by far the bigger project. That district covers 39,150 feet or nearly 8 miles. It includes 127 parcels on Route 98 between West Barre and Gillette roads, Gillette Road between 98 and Eagle Harbor Road, Drake Island Road, Eagle Harbor Road between Gillette Road and the end of Water District 5, and Root Road.

The project is estimated to cost $1,731,000. The town has applied for a $337,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development. The remaining costs would be financed over 38 years.

Parcel owners would pay $635 in annual debt costs, plus an average of about $300 for water usage.

District 7 would cover 11,850 feet or about 2 miles on Eagle Harbor Road between Route 31A and the townline, Route 31A between Eagle Harbor and Long Bridge roads, and Long Bridge Road from Route 31A to about 500 feet north.

That project would serve 19.5 housing units. The construction is estimated at $692,000. The town is seeking a $311,400 USDA grant.

Property owners in the district would pay $867.75 in annual debt service plus an average of $300 for water usage annually.

The majority of residents have supported the projects, saying it will solve their woes with inadequate water quantity and poor quality, town officials said.

The hearing will be at the town hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.