RANGELEY – Trustees of the Rangeley Water District approved borrowing $253,000 for several projects at a public meeting Tuesday.

The money will be used in conjunction with $207,000 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant.

According to Bob Griscom, clerk of the district, one of three projects the money will fund is a new well to be drilled to provide a backup well for the district. Currently the district has only one well, which needs to be shut down occasionally for routine maintenance. The district has no backup system if there is a problem, such as a pump malfunction. The new well will provide water to the community in such situations. The cost for the new well is estimated at $151,000.

Also, a new line serving about 40 residences on Cottage Avenue will be built for about $90,900. The recent addition of 30 new homes on Cottage Avenue, in addition to the 10 already there, has taxed the line to that area.

In addition, an estimated $178,500 will be used to build an office building with a garage on land the district owns off Dallas Hill Road. The water district does not currently have office or work space.

Leftover funds will be used to upgrade tools and test equipment, Griscom said.