The Hampden Water District recently submitted an information rate filing to the Maine Public Utilities Commission for an across-the-board increase of 18.26 percent. This increase comes on the heels of a 20 percent increase in 2005. Yet another substantial increase in water rates may be requested in the near future with the planned 2009 rebuilding of Main Road North.

Town officials are angered by the decision and by the perceived difficulty in getting questions answered and concerns addressed by the water district in a timely manner.

The fire of discontent is further fanned by the perception that town officials and citizens may have been misled as the proposed water district budget contains a 28.12 percent increase in the salaries and wages budget line. This increase accounts for 43.4 percent of the total dollar increase requested. The justifications sent to water users were primarily for increased cost of water purchased from the Bangor Water District and the costs of materials and supplies purchased.

Some citizens have begun collecting signatures for a petition to the PUC to block the increase. Still other citizens have publicly expressed a desire to immediately take over the water district. Such actions speak directly to the dissatisfaction of citizens and suggest a need to address issues.

The Town Council has a legitimate right to be concerned because the water district has stalled on answering their questions. Then, at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Hampden Water District board, the printed agenda called for a vote on the increase to be taken before questions from the councilors were addressed. A change in the order of the agenda was made only after a request by the mayor for the board to answer the written questions prior to voting on the increase.

The questions were answered, but underlying issues remain. The water district board approved the rate increase of 18.26 percent anyway.

Further, the town’s cost for the availability of water for public fire protection is a full 30 percent of the water district’s budget and is subject to the same across-the-board increases as metered ratepayers. This means that property owners will pay for the rate increase through their property taxes, even if they are not Hampden Water District customers.

This cost occurs in the form of a rental charge for the 172 fire hydrants in Hampden. For the year ending Dec. 31, 2006, the cost was $310,000. The new cost will be $365,572. The costs for metered usage by town entities such as the Municipal Building, library and swimming pool are additional.

Yet another significant rate increase may be looming in the near future. The Maine Department of Transportation has planned to rebuild the approximately 4,000-foot section of U.S. Route 1A (Main Road North) from R & K Variety to Hillside Avenue, beginning in 2009. The total cost today would be $500,000 to $520,000. The subsequent bonding by the Hampden Water District would result in yet another substantial rate increase in the near future.

Some citizens feel misled. The district in its “Notice to Hampden Water District Customers” sent to all customers cited the following reasons for requesting a rate increase: “The increase is necessary to (1) cover increases in purchased water cost, (2) replace and upgrade needed water piping infrastructure, and (3) help offset the inflationary cost of electricity, fuel, water treatment chemicals and supplies, heating oil and insurance.”

However, the informational rate filing document sent to the PUC shows the annual line item for “Salaries and Wages” ballooning from $319,697 to $410,000, an increase of 28.12 percent. The water district has six full-time employees and one part time. Three of the employees hold the title of manager.

Couple this with a perceived unwillingness to promptly and publicly address questions and concerns and a board meeting agenda designed to limit public dialogue, and the result is a deepening of the perception that the common good of the citizens may be better served by exploring different avenues for managing water distribution in Hampden.

I propose the Town Council begin an open review process based on Hampden’s future water resource needs as identified by the town’s Community Services and Comprehensive Planning committees. Comment from citizens should be actively sought and encouraged.

In the final analysis, the decision surrounding who manages the water distribution in Hampden should be based on one criterion: What is best for the citizens of the town of Hampden – not the easiest short-term solution. Whatever is decided will most likely affect the town of Hampden for generations to come.

Jim Feverston is an independent leadership consultant, college professor, member of the Community Services and Comprehensive Planning committees, trustee and treasurer of the Lura Hoit Pool board and candidate for Hampden Town Council.