On Dec. 4, Boothbay Harbor Sewer District (BHSD) trustees unanimously approved their 2026 budget and user rates, which will be officially adopted during their Dec. 16 meeting. 

The budget for the year (with depreciation included) is set at $2,411,917. Users will see a 7% rate increase. The minimum base rate per quarter will be $119.50 with a 600 cubic feet usage allowance, and residents will be charged $16.75 per 100 cubic feet (HCF) used over 600. 

As previously reported in the Register, the average yearly residential bill will be $859.23, or $1,098.38 for seasonal use. For businesses, average rates will be $2,885.50 and $4,677.48, respectively.   

Resident Kathie Stephens asked if BHSD had an exemption process for water used for lawns/gardening that doesn’t get treated through the sewer system. Operator-in-charge Chris Higgins recommended buying an outside water meter, which will record usage that residents can then report to BHSD to receive a credit on their bill. More information is on the district’s website. 

In other business, Crooker Construction will begin conducting exploratory groundwork Dec. 8, including test pits and radar scans, as part of BHSD’s phase 1 construction project.