Milton planning referendum on new water projects

Milton Town Council will vote on a resolution proposing to borrow up to $1.6 million for water infrastructure projects at its Monday, Nov. 2 meeting.

The resolution will set in motion a process that will lead to a public referendum on whether to approve the borrowing, with the referendum likely to be held in mid-January.

Town Manager Kristy Rogers said the loan will come from the state Water Infrastructure Advisory Council, which has promised 100 percent forgiveness on the loan once construction is completed, meaning the town will not have to pay back the money.

The project involves replacing water mains on Atlantic Avenue, on Chestnut Street from Front Street to Coulter Street, and from Atlantic Street to the intersection of Cave Neck Road and Front Street. Plans call for upgrading the current four-inch mains to eight- to 10-inch mains, although those details would be worked out in the bidding process. Rogers said the town is about 95 percent ready to go to bid on the project right now. 

Town officials said the project will improve water-flow efficiency, and will allow for tie-ins to two upcoming developments near the intersection of Front Street and Cave Neck Road: Cannery Village IV and Tidewater’s new wastewater treatment plant on Sam Lucas Road. The town is mandated by code to build to provide the infrastructure for tie-ins, although building those tie-ins themselves will fall on the developers. The new water lines will enable the town to better handle the increased flow once those two developments come on line. 

Rogers said the process figures to shake out like this: The council will approve the resolution Nov. 2 that will set a public hearing on whether to have a referendum. The public hearing will likely be held Monday, Dec. 7. Following the public hearing, council would then set a date for the referendum, which Rogers said would probably be Saturday, Jan. 16. 

This would be Milton’s second referendum in three years on water infrastructure projects. In June 2018, voters overwhelmingly approved borrowing $895,000 for three projects: a new water main connecting Wagamon’s West Shores, and a new well and treatment facility at Shipbuilder’s Village. The first two projects have been completed, with construction of the new water treatment facility underway and expected to take three to four months to build.

Rails to Trails lighting also on Nov. 2 agenda

Besides the water main project, Milton Town Council will also discuss the lighting design for the new Rails to Trails extension.

Lighting of the trail, which opened this summer and runs from Federal Street to Lavinia Street, has been controversial. Residents of adjacent West Shore Drive oppose lighting the trail because it will encourage people to use the trail 24/7 and the lighting will shine into their homes. Town council has approved putting lights along the trail, and as part of construction, conduits were put in to allow for lighting to be installed. 

In new business, council will discuss a sidewalk waiver request from Marilyn Taggert of 208 Ridge Road, approve appointments to the Board of Special Elections, change orders to the Shipbuilder’s treatment facility contract, and consider a request from Fernmoor Homes to approve the final record plat of Heritage Creek subdivision phases 8B and 8C.