Interest in the land around the Haigis Parkway has carried over to other land in the Beech Ridge Road area, according to Scarborough officials, although no one has purchased any property area yet.

During last week’s Town Council meeting, Town Manager Ron Owens asked councilors if they were in favor of bringing water lines across the turnpike to assist with developing business in that area. While there was no vote, councilors seemed amenable to the idea.

Owens said companies interested in developing the land have approached the Scarborough Economic Development Corporation, but the issue of utilities continues to be a concern.

One reason for the increased interest has been recent newspaper stories profiling the area and its potential for development, Owens said. “We’ve has more than normal interest in the Exit 42 area because of those stories,” Owens said.

The town could provide funding for the water expansion by using a tax increment financing district like it did for the construction of the Enterprise Business Park, Owens said.

Chairman Steve Ross said the heavy traffic in the Exit 42 area is would be one reason why he would consider the water line extension. He said he felt the pollution from all the cars that travel in the area on a daily basis could have a negative effect on the water supply and he would consider approving the extension for health reasons.

Councilor Jeffrey Messer said he would consider the option, but only if the proposed projects were “significant.”

Councilor Sylvia Most, a member of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, said the committee has studied the issue and is probably going to recommend a zone change in the Holmes Road area to include some industrial uses, which would imply, but not require, the extension of water and sewer lines to the areas over time.

Councilor Shawn Babine was also open to the concept, but said if any extension occurs, the council should also recommend looking at extending lines to other areas in town that do not have water.

Any decision to extend water lines in Scarborough will be made by the Portland Water District.

In other business, the council also gave Owens some direction in preparing the upcoming budget. The discussion allowed councilors to express their opinions on increases to the 2006 budget.

While councilors had different opinions on the number, they were all in the 2.1 percent to 3 percent range.

This may be a difficult goal because of increases in salaries, senior programming, electricity, fuel and health insurance. In addition, Owens said the town will receive slightly more in state education funding compared to the $1.1 million last year, but is not expecting the increase to be significant.