WEST PARIS – As planning for Phase 2 of the Main Street rebuilding project goes forward, the West Paris Water District is looking into the availability of state money to pay for its part of the project.

District board member Phil Edmunds said last week, “We can only do an upgrade on the water lines without a major increase in our rates if we can get grant money. Without grants we will have to ask the people to cover the costs and we don’t want to do that.”

He does not have an estimate on the amount needed.

Phase 2 of the rebuilding project is scheduled for next summer. It involves grinding and rebuilding a 950-foot section of the street from the Bradeen residence to the Kingsbury Street intersection.

Also, several trees on the corner near the Benson residence will be removed, and the existing sidewalk will be lowered and rebuilt. Drainage will be improved by installing new catch basins designed to steer runoff into the brook across from the Agnes Gray School.

The main construction on Phase 2 will be completed by the town’s Highway Department and Water District personnel. The total cost of the project is estimated at $170,000, with the state contributing two-thirds and the town paying the rest.