Hampden residents fear future water rate increase

HAMPDEN – Approximately 10 residents attended the water district’s public hearing Tuesday night on the proposed 18.26 percent rate increase pegged to start Jan. 1, 2008.

The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, was an opportunity for community members to voice concerns and get questions answered, said Cameron Torrey, general manager of the Hampden Water District.

At present, a household using less than 1,200 cubic feet of water per quarter receives a $70 bill. Under the proposed rates, households using less than 900 cubic feet will be billed $70.01. Any water intake greater than 900 cubic feet would cost an additional $4.26 per 100 cubic feet.

A major concern raised by attendees was the likelihood of future increases due to construction, Torrey said on Wednesday. When the Maine Department of Transportation repairs Route 1A in 2008 or 2009, the water district intended to replace pipes while the road was under construction, he said. Many were concerned that if lines were replaced then rates would increase again in the next year or two.

“My answer to them was absolutely,” Torrey said. He noted that if a quarter-mile of pipeline were replaced between R+K Variety to Hillside Avenue, then rates would rise to pay the bond.

The proposed increase was forwarded on to the Maine Public Utilities Commission for consideration. Residents could petition the rate hike, which would require signatures from at least 15 percent of the district’s customers, Torrey said. The PUC would then review the proposal and either deny it, decrease the rate hike or support the increase.