BLUE HILL – Increased development in an area with poor soils has prompted town officials to develop a plan to extend the town’s sewer lines.

Working with Olver Associates, the selectmen have put together a three-part, $1.9 million plan that they intend to send to voters next month.

The first part of the plan would be to extend the line up West Main Street from the Congregational church to the Tradewinds Market. That would cost an estimated $600,000. The project would extend service to the businesses at the intersection of Main and South streets.

The second part of the plan would extend the sewer line from Tradewinds out South Street to a high point of land somewhere near the Barncastle Restaurant. The would cost an additional $650,000.

The third part of the plan would take the sewer line from the South Street intersection out Mines Road to a high point of land near Marlintini’s Restaurant, a project that would cost an estimated $660,000 more.

The total cost for all three parts of the plan would be about $1,910,000.

Selectmen have tentatively set Aug. 5 as a date for a special town meeting to make a decision on the issue.

South Street has seen increased commercial development in recent years and is likely to see more development in the future, according to Selectman Jim Schatz. The area also has seen its share of failed septic systems.

The areas targeted for the extension have poor soils and high groundwater tables, according to a report from Olver Associates.

According to a recent survey of 45 area property owners, of the 50 percent responding, half reported past or current problems with their septic systems. More than two-thirds of those responding said they supported the sewer extension and 55 percent said they would connect to the new sewer line immediately.

In a straw poll earlier this year at the annual town meeting, residents also indicated an interest in extending the sewer lines. That appears to be a change in attitude from four years ago when selectmen, in a split vote, opposed the idea of extending the sewer line and voters at a town meeting also nixed the proposal.

The problems with septic systems could threaten private wells downhill from South Street, Schatz said. Extending the sewer lines along that road would be a “pre-emptive” move, he said.

“We’re seeing more failed systems down that road [South Street],” said Selectman Jim Schatz on Monday. “We’re starting to see more as development takes place. It makes sense to take the sewer down there.”

The town may qualify for some grant funding for the project, but may have to borrow the entire amount though a loan program sponsored by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The projects would not require any expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, according to Schatz.

“The treatment plant has great capacity,” he said.

If voters approve any or all of the options, the selectmen will put the project out to bid this winter with construction to be completed by next fall.

rhewitt@bangordailynews.net

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