WILTON – A plan to link water lines between Wilton and Farmington near the region’s hospital needs more discussion and information, including how to pay for it.

Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to invite neighboring water company Farmington Village Corp., along with project manager James Lord of Dirigo Engineering, to return with facts and figures and representatives from Franklin Memorial Hospital and Sandy River Nursing Care Facility for more discussion.

The connection was requested in case of an emergency on either side of the town line located near the hospital in Farmington and a new hotel in Wilton.

Farmington Village Corp. also wants the connection as insurance in case a break in its 3-mile-long, dead-end line should occur, leaving the hospital and nursing facility without water. The connection would only be used in cases of emergency and by agreement of both towns.

Concerns about providing water to Wilton and North Jay customers served by the Wilton Water Department were raised by Superintendent Russell Mathers. The system was designed for Wilton and North Jay, he said. Supplying the 20,000 gallons a day needed by the hospital could make existing customers suffer, he said.

But, the bottom line for the board came down to financing the connection.

“I don’t see this in our budget,” said Chairman Paul Gooch, who noted a year ago the connection estimated to cost about $175,000.

“It’s a good idea but I don’t want to jeopardize water customers or take on any debt,” said Selectman Russell Black. “If there was a way to do it without debt … there’s no harm in considering it if funding is available.”

The Farmington department is looking to financial grants to offset the cost, Holt said.

If there’s no cost to taxpayers, the board agreed to revisit the discussion when more facts and figures are available.