Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Hay River (Sept 03/01) - Nine Hay River residents will have a chance to vote whether or not they would like water piped into their homes.

The nine houses are located just across the West Channel bridge and currently receive trucked water service.

Since the town's main water line runs parallel to the homes, one of the owners requested to tap into the main.

Not all residents want the extra cost of piped water. At a public meeting in council chambers last Monday, Alec Pinto -- one of the nine residents -- submitted a statement voicing his opposition to the plan.

Pinto said he has recently spent a lot of money upgrading his home's pressure system and tanks and said tapping the line would be too expensive for him and the town.

"How can you spend the town's money at the request of one person," Pinto wrote in his statement.

The water line upgrade would fall under the town's local improvement plan, which would see the town paying for half of the estimated $80,000 job and the other half paid for by residents.

The town would pay for their half of the improvement from a $720,000 grant from Municipal and Community Affairs, leaving an estimated $4,300 for each homeowner to pay.

Following the town meeting, council passed the second reading of the bylaw which will send the decision to the homeowners. Council will hire a consultant to conduct a plebiscite.

Deputy mayor Dean McMeekin asked that the plebiscite question detail exactly what the residents would get and how much it would cost. Administration agreed. McMeekin also questioned if owners could opt out of the plan if they wanted.

"What we're saying to Mr. Pinto is, 'We're going to dig up your lot and shove a water pipe down your throat, whether you like it or not,'" McMeekin offered.

If 60 per cent vote in favour of the piped service, all residents will have to get the service.

Town administration will seek a consultant to conduct the poll and if passed, the bylaw will come back to council for third and final reading..