REHOBOTH - The new wastewater system at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School will be delayed, as the school committee voted to rebid the contract at Tuesday's meeting. The action is expected to delay the start of the project at least until sometime in August.

The main reason for the delay is the school district learned that it won't receive the 52 percent grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

"We wanted to regroup, and make sure we are getting the best economy for the total project, meaning the septic system and the fields," said David Katseff, school committee member.

Some of the Rehoboth selectmen and other people in town wanted the restoration of the fields separated from the wastewater system construction because they felt all of the field work was not incidental to the project. School officials also learned that requiring the contractors to be certified by the Division of Capital Asset Management wasn't necessary.

The bids will be re-written with those changes and will require references to make sure the contractors are experienced. The requirement for state certification limits the number of companies that can be allowed to bid on the project and can increase the cost, according to Selectman Christopher Morra. He says the project should come in at about $800,000.

"Rebidding the project will clearly result in substantial savings for both towns, thus allowing more funds available for our students," said Morra.

Rehoboth and Dighton approved the $1.2 million project to upgrade the 42-year old sewage treatment plant at town meeting. Rehoboth decided the funding would be subject to a temporary override of the state's Proposition 2 1/2 tax-limiting law, called a debt exclusion.

Morra said selectmen will schedule the vote shortly after the new bid is put out.

Voters will decide a separate budget override on July 22.

The project is expected to cause some disruption once school begins in September, but according to Katseff, that is to be expected with this type of project, adding that students have had to work around students and teachers for other projects in the past.