MILFORD - Milford residents were briefed last week about the village's proposal to drill a new water well in Wilber Park.

The board of trustees has been working on finding a second water source since high levels of nitrates were found in village water in 2002.

Last Thursday, the board, the Department of Health and representatives from Lamont Engineering met with homeowners and village water consumers to discuss the project.

Mayor Sabine Curry said it was well attended - approximately 50 people were there.

"It went really well," she said. "A lot of things were discussed."

Residents were informed that water bills would increase because of the project. For example, Curry explained that an average water bill may be $264, but could increase to $300 after the project is complete.

However, if the board decided to put off plans for a new well, the average water bills could double, said Curry.

The village board will hold a brief special meeting on September 16 to pass a resolution to begin paperwork for a bond resolution, said Curry.

Because of Milford's recent trouble with nitrate levels, they could receive the entire Drinking Water State Revolving fund grant of just over $1 million through a short-term loan, said Curry.

Once the resolution is publicized (Sept. 17), residents have 30 days from that date to submit a petition of five percent of the village's property owners to over ride the board's approval.

If a petition is submitted, a permissive referendum will be held for voters.

However, Curry stated that the Board of Health could still mandate that the bond resolution be approved, even if voters turned it down.

"We have to have healthy drinking water," Curry emphasized.

Should the resolution be passed, construction won't start for a while, said Curry. The ground breaking may begin next summer or into the spring of 2006 and may run for six months.

Basically we're looking for it to be down in the next two to three years, said Curry.