By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

When large residential and commercial projects hit the town’s planning board table, one key element considered is the impact on Bridgton’s public water system.

Todd Perreault, a Bridgton Water District trustee, told the Select Board at their Sept. 10 meeting the existing system is in “fairly decent shape,” but expansion is under consideration. 

“Our wells that we do have currently are able to produce somewhere in the 700,000 gallons a day range. Currently, we’re using somewhere around 450 to 500,000 per day during the summertime. So, we’ve got still a little cushion there,” Perreault said, “but we’re actively looking at different properties to source more water in a different area than what we are in now. So that way we have two separate sources in case something happens to one of them — we have another water source to fall back on, is what we’re in the middle of doing.”

The majority of water comes from an aquifer, tapped off Route 107 in South Bridgton. A hydrological study will be done to determine the flow of water in town, and the Water District will look into which lines need to be replaced.

“We’re in decent shape that way,” said Perreault, noting areas addressed recently, including the downtown district. “As far as system expansion goes, that would happen as the need arises.”

Selectman Paul Tworog asked what is the “normal cushion” water districts like to have?

“Right now, our pumps only have to operate four or five days a week, and then they’re shut off for two days. We’re not pumping to full capacity,” Perreault said. “We do have some cushion, but we’re getting to the point where I think that I would feel more comfortable if we had another water source that we could pump more water from. Are we at our extreme red line and we need to do something? No, but if we don’t start looking into it, then we’re going to get there since we continue to grow.”

The Bridgton Water District is a separate entity — it is not operated by the town — and is regulated by the state’s Public Utilities Commission. The town does pay the Water District, in the form of hydrant fees as part of fire protection.

“The PUC regulates (it sets the rate) for each town how much they are going to participate in the operating expenses of the Water District,” Perreault explained. “Currently, the Town of Bridgton is somewhere are the 30-31% range of our operating budget goes to fire protection.”

While the BWD can set some money aside to fund system expansion, Perreault noted that it is “quite expensive to bury pipe on the ground” so either grants or rate hikes will be needed to fund these projects.

Perreault said the existing water system “covers everything that’s on the books” for projects under development. The BWD has water storage tanks on Mount Henry and Highland Road. Each holds about 500,000 gallons.

“So, we have about a million gallons underground,” Perreault said.

In other news:

Little short. When the low bid for the Church Street sidewalk project (approved twice by voters) came in at $411,903, officials had to dip into the Capital Projects Reserve account to make up the $57,103 difference. The town received $229,000 from a Community Block Grant, and budgeted the balance.

Town Manager Bob Peabody would like to see the sidewalk built and project wrapped up — not delayed — before his tenure comes to an end.

“It’s (the price) probably not going to go down, that’s for sure. The county (which runs the CDBG program) doesn’t like to carry those funds too far forward,” Peabody pointed out. “What’s interesting is in 2011, the town and GPCOG did a walkability study and Church Street was one of the streets that was called out as being highly used. It’s a very important connector between the hospital, that neighborhood and the downtown.”

And, one frequently mentioned target of the revised Comprehensive Plan is for better infrastructure for walking and biking.

“This is a worthy project,” Peabody added. “We do have the funding, and I’m just hoping we can just get it done.”

The board agreed to move up to $60,000 from Capital Reserve for the Church Street sidewalk project.

Proper place for porta-potties? The town has two lots for municipal parking on Park Street, which are now clearly identified with new signs pointing the way.

However, Selectman Paul Tworog raised the question whether porta-potties used for the very popular Music on Main free concert series should be stored on the paved lot near the concert venue along with Bridgton Books?

“If you look across through the lot, you see a row of porta-potties. It’s not really a great look,” Tworog said. “I don’t think they used to be there. I think in the early days (of Music on Main), the porta-potties were actually moved. Now, they’re actually taking up parking spots in the public lot.”

Tworog added that when a concert is held, the porta-potties — some are open and some are locked — are moved. He suggested they be placed on the back parking area.

The lot has 33 regular parking slots and 2 designated as handicap spaces. The porta-potties, one of which is rented by the town, occupy three spaces. Rarely is the parking area full of vehicles.

Board chairman Bob McHatton asked if parking access has been a problem with the porta-potties placed in the lot? Town Manager Bob Peabody said no.

“I do not consider it a problem because we’re not getting complaints from the stores that are right there,” McHatton added. “If you’re getting complaints from the book store and other people, then that’s something else.”

Tworog felt as a “policy matter” the standard should be private individuals not using a public lot.

“You’re going to wait until you have a citizen complaint? Is that what you’re saying,” Tworog asked McHatton.

McHatton asked Tworog to make a motion, which he did saying, “I make a motion that town policy should not allow private use of public space without the expressed permission of the town.”

McHatton asked for a second on the motion, but none was given, so Tworog’s motion failed.