City of Ellsworth Water Department
Public Notice
The City of Ellsworth Water Department (the Department) will be filing a revised rate schedule with the Maine Public Utilities Commission, to be effective January 1, 2020. The filing is made under provisions of 35-A-M.R.S.A. Section 6104. The docket number for the filing is 2019-00283.
Present rates were effective November 1, 2008. Since the last rate increase, expenses have increased. In order to pay its current debt service obligations and continue properly maintaining its water system, the Department is proposing an overall revenue increase of $107,165 as shown below:
- Residential $ 35,336 10%
- Commercial $ 24,282 10%
- Industrial $ 352 10%
- Public Authorities $ 4,092 10%
- Public Fire Protection $ 34,695 11%
- Private Fire Protection $ 8,408 10%
- Total: $107,165 10%
The public fire protection increase is governed by Public Utilities Commission Chapter 69. In accordance with Chapter 69, the public fire protection revenue is set at 30% of total operating revenue.
A public hearing will be held on Monday, November 18, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers located at 1 City Hall Plaza at which time complete details will be furnished in support of the increase.
You may inspect data relating to the present and proposed rates at Ellsworth City Hall before the hearing. If you have any questions or desire additional information, you may contact the Department at (207)-667-8632, 1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605. You have the right to an open and fair hearing and the right to further hearings before the Commission. The Public Advocate is available for assistance to you in this matter upon request. The Public Utilities Commission may be contacted at (207)-287-3831, State House Station 18, Augusta, ME 04333, or the Public Advocate at (207)-287-2445, State House Station 112, Augusta, ME 04333.
If, within 30 days of the public hearing, 15% of the customers of the Department’s file with the Department and the Commission petitions demanding a review of the rate changes by the Commission, the rate change may be suspended, investigated, reviewed, and changed in accordance with Section 310. Signatures on the petition are invalid unless accompanied by the printed names and address of the signers. Upon request the Department will provide customers with the appropriate petition forms.
