TOPSHAM

Topsham selectmen on Thursday asked Topsham- Brunswick Water District representatives if ratepayers can expect to keep seeing rate increases.

Yvette Meunier, a waster district trustee, said the district replaced 2,000 feet of water main on Potter Street at a cost of approximately $377,000; replaced a failed wash-water infiltration lagoon at Jackson Station in Topsham ($610,000); made building system renovations at Jackson Station ($45,000); and made safety and security improvements at the Church Road and Oak Street storage tanks in Brunswick costing approximately $300,000.

Meunier said the balance of the borrowing is planned for expenditure in 2014 to deploy an advanced metering infrastructure system. The system, she said, will improve efficiency by providing remote, real-time water meter reading as well as other system performance measurements. Deployment will be phased in over three years with future funding provided in the annual capital improvement budget. Meters will be replaced as part of the project.

The district also seeks to purchase land for protection boundaries, and was able to purchase 34 acres by Jackson Station last year for $500,000.

The district implemented a 12.6 percent rate increase in June, Meunier said, so in addition to financing the bond and land purchase, “water demands have been decreasing for over 10 years now, mostly due to water conservation efficiencies in household appliances and fixtures.”

These combined factors have resulted in an estimated loss of approximately $400,000 in revenue in 2014 without that rate increase, Meunier said.

In addition to the advance meter reading system, the district plans to replace some water mains on Harpswell Road, Douglas Street and River Road in Brunswick.

Given the drop in water demand, selectman David Douglas asked if ratepayers can expect to consistently see a similar increase of 10 to 12 percent.

Craig Douglas, the district engineer, said to some extent there will be increases but the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station caused extenuating circumstances. However, Douglas said he believes it will flatten out over five years and eventually stabilize. The district continues to gain customers.

Selectmen William Thompson said due to conservation efforts there is less revenue coming to the water district, so “good job saving water, now we’re going to charge you more to make up the difference. That doesn’t sit well with me.”

Douglas said the advanced metering system can help people reduce their cost and the district is looking at other cost-saving measures.

Douglas was asked how significant the base closure impacted the demand. Douglas said the base used to be 15 percent of the demand and is now 5 percent. The entire base water system at Brunswick Landing was renovated, different than what is happening at the former annex in Topsham.

John Shattuck, Topsham’s economic and development director, said during his report Thursday that the town this fall will be contacting utility districts to begin conversations — then reach out to area development owners “to look at getting some coordinated thinking about how we’re going to go forward with the infrastructure needs in future development.”

Shattuck said the affordable senior housing project River Landing “is rising” at the construction site at the former Amenity Manor on Elm Street. Also, Wicked Joe Coffee has a new location in the former Commissary at Topsham Business Park and is now hiring.

Shattuck added during his report that Topsham Development Inc. is having its annual strategic meeting from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 26, facilitated by Amanda Bunker. Also on Sept. 20, Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber will hold Oktober Fest with regional beer and food provided by Sea Dog Brewing, at the Topsham Fairgrounds.

Selectmen also appointed Gary Simard to another term on the Historic District Commission; and authorized the public works director to apply for a safety grant through the Maine Municipal Association for a magnetized manhole cover and storm drain lifting device to help prevent worker injury. The town’s local match would be $600 if it wins the grant.