NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen on Monday unanimously approved a list of actions and signed documents to develop a public water supply for Upper Gloucester village.

State Rep. Ellie Espling, R-New Gloucester, told the board that legislation to set up a New Gloucester Water District and charter for the town will be finalized by Dec. 15 and offered as an emergency provision when the Legislature convenes Jan. 4. She said the bill has been allowed to go to the “top of the pile.”

Selectmen set a public hearing for Jan. 10 at AMVETS Post 6 hall on Route 100 and a referendum for Jan. 25 at the Town Hall for registered voters living within the proposed district.

New Gloucester relies on private wells and septic systems.

Groundwater contamination in Upper Gloucester village has occurred from several small gasoline stations, road salt storage, and uranium from granite bedrock, officials have said.

New Gloucester relies on private wells and septic systems.

A drilled well site has been identified at the New Gloucester Fairgrounds on Bald Hill Road to supply water to the village.

Town Planner Paul First was commended for his work on the village water project, which also includes Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection and Drumlin Associates.

Once the district is created, applications for funding assistance will be filed to several agencies.

Engineer Darrin D. Lary of Wright-Pierce provided the board with a design for the new water system. The preferred option of three is a 120,000-gallon storage tank at the top of Peacock Hill and next to the cell phone tower. It would be 20 feet high and 41.5 feet in diameter.

Attorney James N. Katsiaficas of Perkins/Thomson of Portland prepared documents for the board’s approval, and they were signed during the meeting.

In other business, the Maine Turnpike Authority will replace the Chandler Mill Road Bridge once school closes in mid-June 2012. The five-month project requires closing the road.

Turnpike Authority spokesman Dan Morin said the $2.2 million project includes rebuilding of the bridge deck and raising the clearance height to 15 feet, 6 inches.