Town officials are beginning a long-term effort to upgrade wastewater and water systems as some pieces of its decades-old infrastructure reaches the end of its useful life.
Aug 08, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Elise N. Frank.
BAR HARBOR—Big needs are in Bar Harbor’s future when it comes to updating its infrastructure, Public Works Director Bethany Leavitt reminded the Town Council during a 30-minute meeting, August 4.
Because the needs of the town’s wastewater system are so large and so expensive—some with an estimated $40-$60 million total price tag—she’s working on a phased approach. Bonds for some work have already been approved by voters in previous years.
Bar Harbor is not alone when it comes to aging wastewater and water infrastructure. Earlier this week Mount Desert’s Selectboard just okayed allocating $1.9 million to replace sewer pipes along the Jordan River Road.
Many wastewater plants were constructed after 1972, 54 years ago. That’s when the federal Clean Water Act passed.
According to Leavitt, structures used for wastewater systems tend to last just about 50 years. Equipment tends to last approximately 20.
Lots of factors can impact the life span—quality of the initial materials, flooding from storms or extra large tides, general sea-level rise, and shoreline erosion.
Outside of the town’s systems, if salt water infiltrates a person’s basement during a flooding event, it can get into the sewage tanks. Then it can cause hiccups in how sewage is broken down. If untreated sewage escapes into waterways, wildlife and the environment can be harmed. The same goes for breaches and breaks within the town’s own infrastructure.
Phil Tucker wrote in a paper for Maine Water Utilities Association, “The last five years have tested Maine’s wastewater utilities in ways few could have imagined. What began as a steady progression of technical, regulatory, and operational challenges was abruptly transformed into a period of near-constant crisis management, nowhere more visible than in the handling of biosolids. For decades, biosolids management in Maine reflected a balance of environmental protection, beneficial reuse, and practical economics. Utilities invested in stabilization, monitoring, and land application programs that were rooted in science and oversight. That balance began to unravel as concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) emerged nationally and then settled locally, accelerating at a pace that left little time for deliberation or a smooth transition.”
Old pipes, leaking pipes, chemical storage, aging pump stations are all aspects of the town’s wastewater systems. Making repairs to those systems’ pipes—especially when they are under heavily used roads—can cause extra expenses.
It all adds up.
“That’s part of what we’ll be phasing in to next budgets,” Leavitt told the councilors. “We’ve started that with the clarifier project.”
The Ledgelawn Avenue plant in Bar Harbor has multiple electrical components that have failed and been replaced, but two clarifiers have been there since 1997 and will likely not be functioning much longer. That plant was rebuilt in 1997.
“A lot of things have changed since 1997, like all the electrical regulations have changed; technology has also changed,” Leavitt said. “So, a lot of the work that’s required to upgrade the facility, you know, it’s not a real plug-and-play anymore. You have to go with the new technology.”
That means new space requirements and you need to be able to fitting things in footprints that might not be big enough any longer.
“I’m trying to get it out there on you know in the public space that it’s you know the facility plan projects a $40 to $60 million project there and it’s a really huge price tag and I really get that. So, we’re working on a phased approach to for implementation and also we’re looking at value engineering,” Leavitt said.
Bar Harbor’s current proposed budget includes almost $12.5 million in priority infrastructure updates.
“This budget requests a CIP funding level of $3,088,259, the bulk of this funding, $2,556,250, is for the debt service for June 2022 Town Meeting for Priority Infrastructure improvements,” according to a 31-page budget document.
Projects include a combined sewer overflow (CSO) elimination project; pump station needs, equipment replacement; and replacement of sewer mains at Hancock Street, Kebo Street, Spring Street, Main Street and Kavanaugh Place.
The West Street pump station improvements will be paid for with bonded monies.
“CSO mains and services are also budgeted with bond monies for upgrade/replacement. Hancock Street Pump Station is scheduled for replacement in FY27,” according to the documents.
The proposed wastewater budget will create rate increases to $13.61 per 100 cubic feet, which is up from $13.09.
According to the wastewater budget, “The lowest minimum bill in the last year for a residential customer can be as low as $327 per year for usage up to 600 cubic feet per quarter. This budget requests an 4.0% increase in minimum charge as well as cost over minimum charge. The proposed rate is $13.61 per 100 cubic feet of usage for a minimum quarterly charge of $81.68.”
WATER BUDGET
The water budget revenue reflects the April 1 Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rate approval. The PUC opened an investigation into the rate changes, August 4 after a 10-citizen complaint led by resident Charles Sidman.
The proposed water budget has both a revenue and rate increase to help replenish part of the fund balance that was used in FY2026.
The proposed budget adds an employee and cybersecurity and other upgrades. The town has a planned downtown pressure study and a source capacity study.
The budget also helps the town maintain its existing assets, such as outside access doors that need to be replaced in highly corrosive environments.
It also includes $838k for debt service.
According to an August 5 memo from Leavitt and Gilbert, there is a “27.5% budgeted increase of operating expenses due to increased cost of utilities and contractual engineering studies and services. Revenues in FY27 are projected to be 28.5% higher than the FY26 actual.”
This lead to a total operating expenses of 27.5% over the current fiscal year budget.
“New mains for Hancock Street and Cromwell Harbor Road are scheduled as well as Glen Mary and Shannon Road in concert with Wastewater upgrades. The up Island Storage Tank/Priority Infrastructure Project work plan will be completed this fiscal year. The town has been (working) collaboratively with Acadia National Park for (the) Cromwell Harbor Road water main project. These upgrades may have an economic impact on both residents and businesses, so revenues and related variable expenses may be high or low depending on contractor costs. Revenues in the Commercial categories and the volume of chemicals used for water treatment may vary widely from the budget,” the budget document and August 4 memo explains.
The changes will impact Bar Harbor’s 1,823 metered customers. Residential users account for 1,297 accounts or 72% of total usage. The remaining users (526) are commercial.
“Investment in water treatment plant and infrastructure totals increased by $9.5 million since the Town purchased the Water Company in 2001,” according to the documents.
There are 29.3 miles of pipes in the town.
“A minimum quarterly bill currently under this budget allowing 1200 cubic feet through a 5/8” meter of $102.83 per quarter,” according to the documents. “At the current rates, 8000 cubic feet in annual water usage totals to $602 per annum for a family of four in Bar Harbor or $50.17 per month.”
The Council scheduled both budgets for August 18 public hearings.
ASSESSING
The Council unanimously agreed to contact with Municipal Consulting Group of Maine for assessing services. That company’s employees—Joshua Berry and Lucas Disher— will be the assessor and E-911 coordinator and deputy for those positions.
There are still office hours open on Thursdays. That will eventually expand to three days a week, Gilbert said.
SETTLEMENT
The town paid $16,000 to the Sipple Calder Trust, which owns property at 45 Eden Street.
The town’s West Street Pump Station was in an easement close to the property.
According to the motion approved by the Council, in 2003, the town “installed certain generator-related improvements, a portion of which extended outside the easement area and onto the Trust’s property.”
The town has removed those.
“The town and the trust desire to resolve fully and finally all disputed claims arising out of or relating to the former encroachment, without an admission of liability, fault, or wrongdoing by either party,” according to the motion.
This led to the payment in “exchange for a full release of claims arising out of or relating to the former encroachment.”
COUNCIL COMMENTS
During Council comments, Steven Boucher said he’d been noticing more people and cars in town. He would like the town to focus a bit more on pedestrian signaling in the future.
Councilor Deb Vickers said, “Happy August. Here we go.”
Councilor Randell Sprague said he has a scanner on his phone where he listens to emergency services traffic.
“I’m amazed by the amount of calls they’re getting,” Sprague said. “They are doing so much so well.”
Vice Chair Earl Brechlin and Joe Minutolo had no comments.
Councilor David Kief said if there was something to put in the water to slow the traffic down, he’d be okay with it. He is worried about speeders and potential fatal accidents.
“People are just driving 60 mph out there now,” he said.
Chair Maya Caines suggested revisiting Safe Streets for All and having a council update on that project’s—to have zero fatalities involving vehicles and no high injury accidents—progress.
BOARD VACANCIES
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 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
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
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
To watch the meeting on YouTube
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