It was a dark and stormy night, but eight Edgecomb residents attended a public hearing Monday, Dec. 2 to discuss wastewater rates with selectmen, according to information the board provided later.

The inclement weather kept David Beauchamp of Ted Berry Company from attending. Beauchamp is the municipal service group manager. The company provides services for municipalities and businesses that use underground pipelines. But Wiscasset Water District Superintendent Chris Cossette was on hand to provide information as needed.

The new rate is needed due to the recent increase from Wiscasset, which processes wastewater for about 65 residents in Edgecomb’s Davis Island area. Wiscasset ratepayers saw their rate increase by 30% this summer. For the past five years, Edgecomb residents have been charged at a rate of $27.36 per 300 cubic feet, as set by the Edgecomb sewer district.

Because the water district is charging Edgecomb at the new rate but Edgecomb ratepayers are still at the previous rate, the town is funding approximately $600 of shortfall each month.

Local residents asked why the rates needed to increase. Selectmen told them the increase in Wiscasset’s rate affected Edgecomb’s rate. A 2005 agreement between Edgecomb and Wiscasset requires that “Edgecomb shall also pay the same sewer user fees paid by Wiscasset residents.” 

Arguing against the need for a corresponding increase, residents said they pay $6,000 per year to maintain their own pumps. “We own it and pay for maintenance, why can’t Edgecomb pay for maintenance or reduce our rate,” they asked selectmen. Cossette pointed out that the request would mean taxpayer funding would be used to supplement the users.

Selectmen’s Chair Jack Sarmanian explained there is a difference between public and private ownership. He said the associations that maintain the pumps are private.

A question was raised about the $114,000 in an account created for future maintenance of the sewer pipe at the time it was installed. Sarmanian said the funds were needed for two issues: Regular maintenance and possible capital costs if anything went wrong with the pipe. Sarmanian explained that the pipe is due for regular maintenance in 2021; that is estimated to cost $25,000.

The ratepayers then asked if the town could pay something toward the $6,000 annual cost of maintaining the pumps. Sarmanian said the town was prohibited from using public funds to maintain a private system.

Selectmen said the new rate would not be set until the board’s next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16. Before the hearing adjourned, residents asked the town to do what it can to keep their rates reasonable.

The hearing followed a brief selectmen’s meeting at which Mike Smith described the goals for a town forum scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Edgecomb Eddy School.

“This is the opportunity for the selectboard to get feedback from the people,” he explained. Smith noted three key subjects for discussion at the meeting. These are a possible administrative job to increase business hours; the need to reconfigure the town office to add a new employee; and future snowplowing for Edgecomb.

“This was a tough year in terms of taxes,” Sarmanian said. “We want to come up with some positive direction,” Smith added.

Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m. and the forum is set for 10 to noon.