HARTFORD — Voters will have a chance to weigh in on two water system improvement projects — one in Wilder for $6.36 million and another in White River Junction for $1.5 million — to replace deteriorating water mains, according to the town’s project summaries.
These projects, presented as Articles 26 and 27 on next week’s ballot, would be funded by a 20- or 30-year loan through a state revolving loan program by Vermont Bond Bank.
The pipes in Wilder and White River Junction are both in poor condition, and have been for several years. Some residents have been unhappy with the water situation due to broken water mains, which can present a risk for bacteria entering the water supply.
“It’s been on the minds of Public Works for a long time, but we routinely get complaints about it,” Selectboard Vice Chairman Michael Hoyt said Monday by phone.
Throughout Hartford, approximately 4,000 users are connected to town water mains, DPW Assistant Director Jeremy Delisle said, though the specific number of people whose water will be improved by this project is not readily available.
The Wilder mains were installed between 1948 and 1965, and have since become subject to leaks, according to the project summary.
“I remember driving to Selectboard one night on Hartford Avenue, and there was a jet of water coming out on Hartford Avenue right next to Chandler Road,” said Selectboard Chairwoman Mary Erdei.
The aging system has created concerns of contaminants in town water. In 2025, there were six boil water advisories sent out to residents, said Hoyt. These advisories ask that people boil their drinking water to make it safe to drink, or drink bottled water.
So far this year, the Department of Public Works, or DPW, has shared at least two water boil advisories with the Selectboard, Selectboard member Erik Krauss said Monday by email.
“…Ideally, you just don’t have boil water notices on public water supplies,” said Hoyt.
The nine Wilder work zones span across Norwich Avenue, Gillette Street, Hartford Avenue, Lexington Avenue, Horseshoe Avenue, Manning Drive, South Street and James Street, C Street and Kriskarli Drive. The project includes approximately 9,000 feet of water main ranging in width from two to 12 inches.
The three White River Junction work zones span across Nutt Lane, Latham Works Lane and Harrison Avenue. The project includes 1,400 feet of water main ranging in width from 6 to 12 inches.
Should voters approve the projects, Hartford water system users would pay debt services costs over the next 20 or 30 years. The loan timeline would be determined by DPW and the Selectboard once more information is available. The 20-year loan would likely save ratepayers money despite more being due each year, Erdei said Monday by phone.
The $6.36 million estimated cost for Wilder’s water system improvements is based on the construction cost, administrative fees, resident engineering services, and contingency. The same goes for the White River Junction project.
For a 20-year loan on the Wilder project, system users would be on the hook for $388,650 annually, or $25.83 for a single-family home. For a 30-year loan, ratepayers would be on the hook for $66,970 annually, or $18.85 for a single-family home.
As for White River Junction, the proposed $1.5 million would be used to improve the water system on or around Nutt Lane, Latham Works Lane and Harrison Avenue.
For a 20-year loan on the White River Junction project, system users would be on the hook for $91,700 annually, or $109.41 for a single-family home. For a 30-year loan, water system users would be on the hook for about $283,750.26 annually, or $79.88 for a single-family home.
The cost to ratepayers for both projects could decrease should funds become available through state and federal grants.
If voters approve the projects, they could go out to bid shortly after the election. The anticipated timelines for both the Wilder and White River Junction water main improvement projects involve work through Summer 2028, said Krauss.
During construction, people can expect minor disruptions — such as road closures and brief lapses in water access — but nothing extended without advanced notice unless an issue arises, Delisle said.
While passing a costly item that only impacts a portion of the population can be difficult, Hoyt is optimistic.
“The people in affected communities are very excited that it’s on the ballot. And I think generally, in Hartford despite the fact that we have five separate villages, we all have a sense that you work together in this for the town,” said Hoyt.
The wastewater project will not be discussed at this meeting, though voters may bring questions to the informational meeting on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Hartford High School auditorium, 37 Highland Ave. Australian ballot voting on the water bonds, as well as other articles, will take place on Tuesday, March 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m in the same location.
CORRECTION: Water system users in Wilder and White River Junction would be responsible for paying off two proposed 20- or 30-year loans, one of $6.36 million and the other of $1.5 million, for two water system improvement projects Hartford voters will weigh in on in Town Meeting voting next week. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated who would be responsible for paying off the debt.