Water Vote Rescheduled To May 27 at RUHS

Water Vote Rescheduled To May 27 at RUHS

By M.D. Drysdale

A $1.9-million bond vote for Randolph water improvements, which was supposed to have been held April 21, has been rescheduled for May 27.

The delay will mean that the Australian ballot vote can’t be held at the Chandler Gallery, which will be undergoing renovations, so it will be held at Murray Auditorium at the high school, instead.

The vote was cancelled April 21 because The Herald neglected to insert a legal notice in three issues, as required.

At a special selectboard meeting Monday afternoon, Town Manager Gary Champy reiterated that a “yes” vote is extremely important and might even make federal stimulus money available for half the cost.

“There are 47 projects in line, and right now we’re #15,” he told the board. But official approval of the bonding could move the Randolph proposal closer to the top of the pile, he said.

Even if the town receives no stimulus money, it is assured of getting a special interest rate of minus three percent. Over 30 years, this interest rate would result in a $600,000 savings over the bond price, he said.

In any case, Champy emphasized, “the work is going to have to happen” because of the condition of the old water pipe that leads uphill from Central Street and connects with properties around Fish Hill. Last year, the pipe developed a leak twice, he said.

“They had to go up there with snowshoes, axes and shovels to fix it,” he said.

The waterline to be built will be a 10-inch line, which is much larger than the existing four-inch line. Champy emphasized, however, that the line was not intended “in any way” to extend water service farther up the hill to the Exit 4 area.

If anything, he said, the large pipes might be able to transport water from the hillside downhill into the village water system. It might even be possible to close the Pearl Street well, he said.

The vote on the water bond will be by Australian ballot. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.