By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — The town will be a little closer to getting its long awaited water system improvement project under way providing officials sign off on a contract this week.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and is expected to approve the signing of the project engineer’s contract and the project’s timeline.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a $2.4 million grant to the town last year.

The grant will cover the cost of improving and replacing failing water lines and valves. The grant funds will also pay for the installation of about 12,000 linear feet of 8-inch and 6-inch water lines. About 4,500 feet of new 12-inch water mains will be installed.

The board will also look at adopting a resolution for a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan jointly with the town of Spencer. In July 2014, the state Department of Transportation awarded the two towns a $36,000 pedestrian and bike planning grant.

The planning grant is to assess, evaluate and make recommendations for pedestrian and bike needs for both Spencer and East Spencer. A steering committee met between June and November to develop a plan.

The board meets at the Town Hall, 105 S. Long St.

Contact reporter Shavonnne Walker at 704-797-4253.