The Somersworth Public Works & Environment Committee unanimously endorsed “Option 3” — a site behind the existing Nobles Pines water tank — as the preferred siting location for a replacement water tank, committee chair said.

Wright-Pierce engineers presented three siting options during a walking tour of Noble Pines and later at City Hall. Committee members and several abutters reviewed painted outlines on the ground for each option. Committee discussion focused on visibility, impacts to recreational facilities, the number of trees requiring removal and construction logistics.

Committee members favored Option 3 because it would minimize impacts to recreational uses at Noble Pines (it would not require relocating park elements or courts) and would be less visually prominent than Option 1, which was sited in an open area. The committee noted that Option 2 — adjacent to the skateboard park — and the idea of a blended site proposed by an abutter were also considered.

The engineers said the next step is geotechnical borings at the proposed site to confirm soils and foundation feasibility. The chair said the city would construct the new tank before dismantling the existing structure and that the city owns the only feasible hilltop parcel, making the Noble Pines site the most practicable option.

The committee also discussed related maintenance and neighborhood requests, including a Cameron Farms HOA inquiry about street-light ownership and maintenance, and flagged a Public Works assessment for the alley and parking area behind the plaza. The committee will forward a recommendation to full council to ratify Option 3 at a future meeting.

Separately, City Manager Belmore updated the committee that the city received a state revolving fund award for Phase 2 of the wastewater treatment-plant upgrade, a project estimated at about $22 million; council action on contract oversight and next steps will be scheduled later.