LOUISVILLE - The deadline for citizens of Norfolk and Louisville to submit petitions demanding a public vote prior to the creation of a new water district has passed with no paperwork being filed.

“No petitions were dropped off so we’re going to be moving forward with the design, engineering and bonding,” Louisville Town Supervisor Larry R. Legault said, referring to the $9.2 million project that will be funded with a $1,367,771 grant and $7,907,229 zero interest loan.

“It’s full speed ahead,” Norfolk Town Supervisor Charlie A. Pernice added.

While the Norfolk portion of the district is small and only includes a few homes, Mr. Pernice said he’s happy to see the project moving forward.

“I’ve talked to a lot of residents with ugly, ugly wells. They’re spending hundreds of dollars of year, not just on softener, but also on stuff to take the sulfur out.”

Mr. Pernice added the benefits of the project extend beyond clean drinking water.

“It’s not just the water,” he said. “Our fire flow, in the event of a fire, will be better. We’ll have hydrants now and not have to mess with tankers and all that.”

The water district will encompass uncovered portions of the Willard Road. Service will also begin at the town’s office complex and continue along state Route 37 to Steve’s Gas before turning down County Route 39 into Louisville, covering the entire hamlet and expanding onto the Thompson Ridge Road to state Route 56, ending at the Norfolk town line.

The district will also extend onto West Hatfield Street, wrapping around state Route 37 and back to state Route 56, picking up several Norfolk residents at that point.

Mr. Legault said the project is something that’s been in the works for several years, and he’s glad to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I know people in this district have been waiting a long time for this, so I’m glad we can finally be moving forward,” he said. “I appreciate them being patient and waiting for us to get funding in place. I also appreciate the support from the Norfolk residents who will be a part of the project.”

With the design phase of the project now in the works, Mr. Legault said he’s hopeful of putting the project out to bid by this fall and seeing work on it begin before winter hits.

“I’m glad that we can move forward and get all the engineering and legal work out of the way,” he said. “Hopefully we can have a shovel in the ground this fall.”

Residents of the district will pay an average of $631 per year for water service. That fee includes a debt service charge of $441 that all residents of the district will pay. The remaining $190 is based on average water usage of 5,000 gallons per month. The minimum water usage fee is $144 per year and is based on 3,000 gallons per month.

Mr. Legault said once this project is completed the majority of the township, including the entire hamlet, will have municipal water service, leaving only Whalen and Patterson roads, as well as a portion of the town in the Chase Mills area without water service.

“We’re going to be working on two separate water projects so we can get these people water too,” he said, explaining that Chase Mills would make up one project, with the Whalen and Patterson roads making up the second.

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