The town meeting will be followed by a machine-vote referendum, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 13. The purpose is to obtain voter permission for the Bethel Public Utilities Commission to accept a state loan to fund a pump station replacement and construct new wells to improve water supply.
The funds for this project will be provided by a state Department of Public Health low interest loan for small-town water systems.
The town of Bethel emphasized that this is not an expenditure of town funds and the proposal would have no impact on the town budget or on property taxes.
All project costs will be repaid by water rate payers over a 20-year period.
Because the value of the projects exceed $1 million in value, town charter requires voter approval via referendum.
Both projects are necessary in order to continue to provide drinking water that meets all state health standards and improve fire fighting capabilities.
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