Milton begins water main projects

The town of Milton is continuing a $1.6 million water main upgrade project to replace lines running on Chestnut Street between Front Street and Coulter Street, as well as upgrading water mains on Atlantic Street and Atlantic Avenue. 

The project is intended to address frequent leaks and breaks, improve flow and remove lead contamination from the project area. 

Work started in early September in the area near Coulter Street as crews installed new 8-inch and 10-inch water mains. From Front Street to Mill Street, crews installed 8-inch mains, and from Mill Street to Coulter Street, lines were upgraded to 10-inch mains. 

Work was supposed to have begun prior to summer, but Town Manager Kristy Rogers said supply delays pushed the project back and caused some uncertainty as to when the whole project will be completed. She said work started at Coulter Street and will move south toward Front Street. 

Work has now begun on Atlantic Avenue, which will go from a 4-inch main to a 10-inch main. Because of the supply delays, Rogers said she was not sure when the Atlantic Street section, which will go from a 6-inch main to a 12-inch main, will begin. 

The project was passed at a January referendum with nearly 100 percent approval, in a 341-4 vote. It was a largely uncontroversial project because the town is receiving a loan from the state’s Water Infrastructure Advisory Council with 100 percent loan forgiveness once the project is completed. The town will only have to make $16,700 in interest payments during the construction period. That money will come from transfer tax reserves.