A public hearing to discuss a proposed 25% hike for customers on town water will be held 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at the South Berwick Community Center.
According to a letter sent to customers of the South Berwick Water District, the proposed increase will amount to an average of $52 per year per customer. This is the first rate increase in 20 years, according to the letter.
Customers who have been paying the minimum charge of $52 per quarter for 7,500 gallons of water will see bills increase to $65 per quarter. Rates will also go up by 25% for public fire protection, sprinkler systems and private hydrants.
In a letter to customers, the Water District said costs have increased nearly 50% since the last rate increase in 2005. The district budget has increased 21% in just the last three years, with rising costs of materials and supplies, salaries and contracted services, according to the letter.
After the Feb. 17 hearing, customers may join together to petition the Maine Public Utilities Commission requesting an investigation of the proposed rate increase, the letter stated. The petitions, available at the Water District office at 80 Berwick Road, must be signed by 15% of the 1,507 users, or 226 customers, and submitted to the PUC within 30 days of the hearing in order for the PUC to investigate the proposed increase.
If approved by the PUC, the increase will go into effect April 1.
