HAMPDEN – Water district trustees voted Thursday night to apply to the state for a rate increase, despite one resident’s promise to petition against the hike.

The proposed 18.26 percent rate increase for most customers has been a contentious issue in town, prompting about a dozen townspeople to attend the district’s regular monthly board meeting. After answering questions prepared and sent in advance to the water district from the Town Council, trustees also fielded questions from attendees before voting unanimously to forward the rate increase request to the state Public Utilities Commission for review. The district intends to send the request to the PUC early next week.

“These have all been legitimate comments and concerns,” said trustee Ken White. “Many things have been discussed, but the way we arrived at [the increase] was not quick or simple. I haven’t heard anything tonight that changes” things.

The district has proposed a rate structure change and a rate hike of 18.26 percent for customers using 900 cubic feet of water per quarter or more.

If approved, the proposed changes would go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.

At present, customers using less than 1,200 cubic feet spend $70 a quarter. After the rate hike, anyone using 900 square feet of water per quarter or more will be charged an additional $4.26 per 100 cubic feet.

The 25 percent of customers who use less than 900 cubic feet of water a quarter will be charged $70.01, trustees explained.

“I know myself and others are going to petition the PUC,” said resident Robert Stubbs.

Resident John Hickson asked the trustees to place the rate increase on the November ballot so the entire town could vote on the issue.

Trustees responded that water rate increases are not decided by public vote.

Customers could petition the Public Utilities Commission within 30 days of the state’s receipt of the rate request, said trustee president Jim Conley. The district has experienced one other rate hike during Conley’s time on the board, but a petition was not submitted for that increase, he said.

Five of the seven town councilors attended Thursday’s meeting.

On Monday, all seven councilors voted to research annexing the water district. During that meeting councilors compiled a list of questions for trustees, which included inquiries about the district’s 34 miles of pipeline, water testing requirements, number of customers and number of employee hours.

Personal use of district vehicles by employees was another issue that surfaced Thursday night. Councilor Tom Brann said that even though employees pay to drive the vehicles to and from work, the practice gives the wrong perception to the community.

“The board definitely understands the concerns. This was a fairly major topic four years ago,” said Conley. “The board will look at this again.”

Despite councilors’ vote on Monday to investigate annexing the district, the topic was not mentioned Thursday night.

When asked to comment about the success of the meeting, Conley said, “I was pleased with the participation.”