Get ready to go to the polls again next month… if you live in Black Pines.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is holding a referendum on Feb. 20 in the community just north of Westsyde, over borrowing money to upgrade its water service.

Chief election officer Deanna Campbell says residents will be asked if they’re in favour of borrowing up to $455,000. She says there are 42 properties affected.

“Given the situation with COVID-19, we’ll be doing in-person voting, following all of those regulations, health and safety requirements. But of course we encourage voters to submit an application to vote by mail, or call in to request a mail ballot package, just to avoid the in-person voting if we can do that.”

The water system upgrade would cost $1.35 million, although three-quarters of the cost would already be covered. The TNRD has received a federal grant to do the work, worth just under $900,000, and Trans Mountain will also cover $121,000 through a Community Benefits Agreement.

The TNRD says borrowing up to $455,000 is a little more than what is needed, in case of any cost overruns. If the borrowing passes in the referendum, residents could also forego paying back their portion of the 20-year loan by making a commutation payment of $10,833.

The referendum on Feb. 20 will be held at the Whispering Pines Community Hall, and voters can cast a ballot in person between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Campbell says people can also send in a mail-in ballot, and an application form can be found here. Typically, mail-in ballots are not permitted in a referendum, but Campbell says an exception has been made for the TNRD in this case because of the COVID-19 pandemic.