WATERVILLE -- City councilors tonight will consider applying for a grant to help build trails at the Quarry Road Recreational Area.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at The Center downtown.

A group supporting the Quarry Road trails project has pledged $85,000 for the first phase of work, according to Parks and Recreation Director Matt Skehan.

Councilors tonight will be asked to allow City Manager Michael Roy to apply for a state grant, with the understanding that the city would be required to provide a 20- percent match, either though in-kind services or cash.

If councilors allow Roy to apply for the grant, $22,310 would be taken from the city's capital improvement budget to meet the match requirement of the private donor. That money, added to $20,000 Colby College has donated to the cause, would nearly fulfill the requirement, Skehan wrote to the mayor and councilors in a memo dated Sept. 29.

"The first phase of the project includes constructing a 5K trail to the west of Quarry Road along the Messalonskee Stream," Skehan's memo says. "We refer to this as the River Loop. The trail will accommodate x-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months and walking, running and mountain biking during the other months. The riverside portion of the loop would also serve as part of the Kennebec Messalonskee Trail network that seeks to connect Waterville trails with trails in Fairfield."

The second phase of the project would include developing a snow-making system, installing lights, obtaining grooming equipment and developing parking areas.

In other matters, councilors will swear in the new councilor for Ward 7, Carl S. Basgall. He replaces Stephen R. Aucoin, who has resigned.

Extending a lease for the Waterville Opera House, authorizing a special municipal election for Jan. 13 to approve a school reorganization plan and accepting a heating assistance grant also are on the agenda.

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com