Norwich ― The City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve six Norwich Public Utilities water and sewer projects totaling $15 million and authorized the city-owned utility to take out a $10 million line of credit for future emergency costs.

NPU General Manager Chris LaRose told the council all the projects were in NPU’s five-year capital plan, but the new federal infrastructure law provided higher grant reimbursements for projects under the Clean Water Act.

The approval includes lining of three aged and large sewer mains near Norwich Harbor. A break in one main that runs underwater in the east branch of the Yantic River forced the utility to install a bypass temporary line above ground along the sidewalk on West Main Street, blocking sidewalk access near the marina entrance.

Along with the sewer projects, NPU will install two water aeration systems in water tanks on Richard Brown Drive in Montville and in the Norwich business park, each costing $1.8 million. The 2004 Yantic water tower will get a new exterior coating to prevent rust.

The line of credit would be reserved for electric and natural gas emergency projects, LaRose said, since they do not qualify for Clean Water Act funding.

Norwich resident and former Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick spoke against the projects during a public hearing.

“I would ask you to look at the totality of this,” Philbrick said. “It’s $15 million, plus a $10 million line of credit. That’s $25 million. I understand that there will be low-interest loans and grants, but I’m sure most of you are smart enough to know the funding source for loans and grants. It’s the taxpayers. The forest of money trees went extinct long ago.”

c.bessette@theday.com