PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Three people shared comments about a major Loring Commerce Center water rate hike during an April 16 public hearing hosted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission at Northern Maine Community College.
The rate hike would charge consumers roughly ten times more than before. For 900 cubic feet used per quarter, the previous rate was roughly $40. Under the new rates, it would cost $471 per quarter for the same amount.
After 10 residents and business owners at the commerce center filed a complaint about the sharp increase last year, the Maine PUC opened an investigation.
Loring CEO Jonathan Judkins said last year that the increases were necessary, as the Loring Development Authority has not updated its rates since 2016. The rates have not kept up with the authority’s roughly $990,000 in water system maintenance expenses.
Lead petitioner Tim McCabe, who co-owns the Bunker Inn at Loring, wrote in a letter submitted to the Maine PUC on Oct. 23 that he and other petitioners are requesting an investigation of the “recent unreasonable increase” to the water and sewer rates.
McCabe wrote in the letter that ratepayers did not have an opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns before the new rates were put in place. McCabe also requested that the new rates be put on hold until the investigation is completed.
The Maine PUC at first denied a request to pause the rate hike, but recently agreed to grant a 75 percent reduction in rates until its investigation ends.
Jody McColman, director of telephone and water utility industries at the Maine PUC, introduced attendants to the hearing and explained that they would be taking comments from people who are not a part of the 10-person petition but who are affected by the rate increase. These comments will then be used as evidence in the PUC’s investigation.
At the hearing, Paula Shattuck of Presque Isle spoke on behalf of her mother and aunt, who she said were among the ten people who signed the petition. Shattuck said her 79-year-old mother is getting about $1,900 a month in social security and would likely end up losing her house if the rates are not reduced.
“My mother is depressed,” Shattuck said. “She cries every day.”
Shattuck said people in the community should be trying to help the elderly live comfortably, but that this rate hike takes advantage of them.
“Everybody that lives on my mother’s street and the next street, they’re all elderly,” Shattuck said. “To me, that’s elder abuse and there should be a law against it.”
James Pelkey, who is working with Bruce Sargent on a $55 million Aroostook potato chip plant that will be located at Loring, stated during the hearing that he does not have any issues with the rate increase.
“People have asked us quite often about the rates, if they will affect the ability to process our potato chips,” he said, “and it will not. We’re fine with the rate that they’ve given us.”
He said their only concern is that the water is of good quality, but that the rate will not affect the plant’s ability to be profitable.
Joseph Sleeper, a member of the local business community based in Caribou, said he hopes that a solution can be reached that satisfies people on both sides of the issue.
The PUC took a brief recess in case any more individuals wanted to offer comments, and adjourned after no one else came forward.
McColman thanked everyone for attending, and added that members of the public are still welcome to file written comments on the case as well.
