But the overall cost of the project is now $2.7 million — $575,000 more than originally estimated.

The Board of Selectmen on Thursday voted 3-0 to approve the additional $575,000 and to change how much residents would be charged to hook into the lines for water service in their homes.

Doug Reid, of Mulberry Hill Road, said he was pleased by the selectmen's vote and hopes the Board of Finance approves the additional funding next week. The finance board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Education Center, 501 Kings Highway East.

"It's not like we're getting this for free. We're paying our full taxes and can pay additional to get this," Reid said. "The fire suppression is the main deal, but it also enables us to have access to town water. It's a win-win. That's why we're willing to pay."

Many homeowners in Greenfield Hill, a rural part of town, get water from private wells, and firefighters have to use pumper trucks to battle house fires there.

Streets to be covered by the $2.7 million fire suppression project include Redding Road, Fogg Wood Road, North Street, Hulls Farm Road, Banks North Road, Hoydens Lane, Merwins Lane, Riders Lane, Fallow Field Road and Jessica Lane. Dry hydrants would be used for Hoydens Hill Road.

The original plan called for each of 114 homeowners to be charged a $9,123 hook-up fee, which would have covered 50 percent of the project's $2.08 million cost.

Homeowners had three years to pay the hook-up fee and got a 20-percent discount if they paid the full amount upfront.

On Wednesday, the selectmen decided to charge each of 125 homeowners an $8,000 hook-up fee, which would cover 37 percent of the project's cost. The selectmen nixed the 20-percent discount.

Homeowners who do not hook into the lines will not be charged. The hook-up fee does not include the cost of laying pipe from fire suppression lines to homes.

Cathy Cook, of Mulberry Hill Road, said she and the majority of her eight neighbors want to hook into the fire suppression lines.

The project now costs an extra $575,000 because the low bid was $350,000 higher than the town's $2.08 million estimate. Also, the selectmen want to spend $225,000 to better cover Mulberry Hill Road, Fogg Wood Road and Jessica Lane.

Fire Capt. George Gomola said the fire suppression project would greatly improve firefighters' ability to battle house fires in Greenfield Hill.

If the Board of Finance or Representative Town Meeting rejects the additional $575,000, the contractor will stop work after $2.08 million has been spent, Public Works Director Richard White said.

The town three years ago installed fire hydrants and water lines on Burr and North streets and charged a $5,500 hook-up fee. The current project would cover most of Greenfield Hill.