Louisville to lead way on planned water district

NORFOLK — The town board Monday night signed off on the first steps toward Louisville's proposed water district, which will include some Norfolk residents.

The effort is still in its infancy and Norfolk's board has not agreed to the full project. Instead, the council agreed to let Louisville be the lead agency for the state environmental quality review process.

"We're getting the ball rolling," Supervisor Charles A. Pernice said. "This isn't saying we're definitely going to do it. There's a process you have to follow."

Louisville is planning a $10.3 million Water District 3. The district will connect about 530 parcels to town water. The proposal also includes about 70 parcels on West Hatfield Street in the town of Norfolk. Including those parcels will allow the district to create a loop rather than having to use less-efficient "dead end" lines.

Most of the Norfolk residents who would be included in the district support it, according to Mr. Pernice. He said there is a petition with about 60 names in favor of the proposal.

However, he said, there will be ample time for dissenters to voice their opinions before a shovel hits the ground.

"Nothing's been decided," the supervisor said.

People whose land is included in the district will share whatever is left of construction costs that are not covered by grants. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office has offered to fund as much as three-quarters of the project with grant money. It is estimated it will cost slightly less than $600 to connect to the service, according to Mr. Pernice.