Milton seeks bids for Federal Street well project

Milton officials have put out a request for bids to build a new well at a town-owned parcel on Federal Street next to the Rails to Trails.

Bids on the project are due by Thursday, Oct. 26, with bids to be opened at town council’s Monday, Nov. 6 meeting. Construction is slated to begin Monday, Nov. 27. 

Work is for a water production well at a 4.5-acre parcel near the intersection of Federal and Park streets. The well is the first phase of a two-part project that will later include a new water treatment facility.

In total, the two projects would cost $1.6 million, which was granted to the town through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The Federal Street project has been identified as a priority by the town’s water committee, and the town has been working on it for several years.

The land at 416 Federal St. was purchased in December 2019 with water infrastructure in mind, particularly as more development is set to come to that area in the coming years with projects such as the Granary at Draper Farm development, which is anticipated to add 1,350 units over a 20-year buildout.

Town officials have also discussed building a new water tower at the Federal Street site, but it is not part of the plans at this time. The ARPA funds will only be used for the well and treatment facility.

Use of ARPA funds is limited, with possible uses including water infrastructure, revenue recovery, broadband, housing or sewer projects. Town Manager Kristy Rogers said the town did not lose much revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are no broadband or housing projects on the town’s radar. Additionally, sewer is contracted to Artesian, so water infrastructure was chosen as the best route to spend the funds.