Bow selectmen have decided to put out bids for a potential water and sewer project that would potentially attract businesses to develop along Route 3A.

By a 3-2 vote, selectmen authorized the funding of the remaining designs and permits to prepare the bids, so a decision can be made in the near future whether to go forward with the project.

In 2002, the town approved a $12 million warrant article to go forward with the project, but after spending about $2 million of the allotted funds thus far, the town would only be able to build a partial system because of increased costs.

Selectman Tom Keane was one of the two votes against moving forward with the process, although he said it was because he felt selectmen did not have enough time to read over materials.

“I probably would have voted for it, but it was a matter of timing,” said Keane. “I thought the decision was premature. We didn’t have time to study the issue, and I don’t know why it had to be done that night. We received a packet of information that night and we didn’t even have time to look at it.”

One of the benefits to moving forward is the potential for federal funds being allocated to projects that are already in the works as an effort to revitalize the economy.

Another benefit to having the bids prepared is the cost of construction, according to Board of Selectmen Chairman Leon Kenison.

“We’re at a point in the construction industry where a lot of folks aren’t working or are working less and would offer some prices with very slim margins of profit. We could take advantage of that market and the bids would reflect that,” said Kenison. “There may be some, if not all, that is eligible for some stimulus money making its way to projects of this nature.”

Kenison believes the project would be in the best interest of the town, as it could help taxpayers who are feeling a heavy property tax burden.

“Homeowners are paying almost all of the property tax. We need to find another way to shift that burden on commercial property owners and get other benefits, like jobs,” said Kenison. “This is the only way I know how to do it. If anyone else has another way, other than reducing spending, we’d welcome those suggestions.”

The issue has surrounded the town for more than seven years, and, Kenison said, he looks forward to having an answer either way on the water and sewer project.