Notice of Investigation issued August 4 after March 10-person complaint led by Charles Sidman.
Aug 06, 2026
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BAR HARBOR—The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has officially opened an investigation into Bar Harbor’s new water rates.
The August 4 announcement that an official investigation has been opened comes after a 10-person citizen complaint to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) asking that Bar Harbor’s approved water rate increases be sent back to the town.
“The complainants raise two primary issues. First, the complainants allege that the division’s rate structure results in rates that are not just and reasonable in that the declining block rate used by the division results in per unit usage rates that are smaller for customers with larger meters and, thus, use more water. Second, the complainants allege a lack of transparency on the part of the Division regarding the recent rate proceeding,” the 10-page notice reads.
The lead petitioner of the complaint is Charles Sidman, who also led the citizen’s initiative for the town’s cruise ship disembarkation changes and has been involved in multiple appeals and lawsuits since then, including acting beside the town as a defendant-intervenor in a lawsuit filed against the town’s new cruise ship rules.
After Town Council action this winter, following a lengthy study, the town’s water rates increased by approximately 35%. The increase occurred after a decade of no changes.
The increase is meant to cover an approximate $1 million budget shortfall for an approved budget of $3.3 million. The current rate results in $2.2 million in revenue.
Those new rates began as of April 1, 2026. Those water rates were approved by the Town Council this winter. Councilor David Kief had voted against the rate change. Current Councilor Deborah Vickers was not on the council at the time.
On Tuesday, all the councilors moved the proposed water budget to an August 18 public hearing.
In March, Sidman and nine others requested the PUC to investigate Bar Harbor’s rates and the process of how it achieved them. The group said that the rates favor those who use more water than residents and that they cause economic hardship to “average citizens.”
Sidman’s initial three-page letter details that the complaint is based on the group’s belief that the town has a “harmfully preferential and discriminatory” water rate structure that negatively impacts smaller users of water and benefits larger consumers of the resource.
He also argues that the town was not transparent as it proposed the changes to the public and PUC.
The complaint was signed by Sidman, Nathan Young, David Rapkievian, James O’Connell, Jeffrey Miller, Rick Seabury, James Schramm, Mary Jane Whitney, Dee Karnofsky, and Norah O’Brien.
Part of the issue that the PUC found was that a legal notice about the rate change’s public hearing did not include language about appealing.
“While the newspaper notice contains information about the rate change and some customer rights, the newspaper notice does not include information about the ability to petition the Commission and the process to submit petitions and request an investigation,” the draft document stated.
The Maine Office of the Public Advocate petitioned to intervene on August 5, 2026.
Sidman was designated the lead intervenor. Others can make comments before August 18 once they become registered users in the PUC’s system.
The Bar Harbor Story reached out to the Town of Bar Harbor for a response and has not yet received one.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
To read all the submitted documentation, go here.
To read related state law, go here.
BOARD VACANCIES FOR BAR HARBOR TOWN GOVERNMENT
If you are interested in serving, please complete an Application for Appointment to Boards, Committees, Commissions and Task Forces:
The purpose of this application is to assist the Town Council’s Appointments Committee in evaluating applicant’s understanding of the responsibilities of the position, commitment to public service, judgment, temperament, and ability to work collaboratively.
Applicants are encouraged to answer each question thoughtfully and candidly. The Town recognizes that individuals bring different experiences and viewpoints to public service. This application is intended to help ensure that appointments are made with careful consideration of the responsibilities, authority, and expectations associated with each position.
Contact the Town Clerk’s office at 288-4098 with any questions or if you would prefer to complete a paper application.
Applications for new appointments or re-appointments are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 4.
The enabling ordinance for most committees is viewable at: Municipal Code, Chapter 31, Boards and Committees. Note that the Council is pausing appointments to a few committees while amendments to Chapter 31 are being considered.
Board Vacancies For Town of Bar Harbor
Appeals Board
One member with term expiring July 2028
Board of Assessment Review
One member with term expiring July 2027
Two members with terms expiring July 2029
Design Review Board
Two members with terms expiring July 2028
Three members with terms expiring July 2029
Marine Resources Committee
One member with term expiring July 2029
Parks & Recreation Committee
One member with term expiring July 2029
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