Crossing lines into another municipal district doesn't bother Chris Higgins. In fact, he believes running for the Boothbay Region Water District Board of Trustees will enhance the region's two most essential services.

Higgins, who has served 19 years as the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District’s superintendent, said he thinks there needs to be a better sense of cooperation and communication between the region’s sewer and water companies in order to better serve its people. Higgins said he wants to promote “regional synergy.”

“I think collectively we have to come together and provide a better, more efficient service,” Higgins said. “We already provide good service. Everybody provides good service, but (there are) probably things that can be done to make it better, and I think the people will benefit from that.”

The decision to run for a water district trustee was something Higgins did not take lightly. He said he knows people might question his motives to run, but he doesn't think it poses a conflict of interest.

“I think enough people around here know me. They know what I do, and what I'm capable of,” Higgins said. “I'm not going to go up there and change the world. We're here to do a job, and I've got a skill set that can certainly help.”

Higgins has lived in Boothbay since 1995, and has 34 years experience working in the sewer and water industry. A graduate of the University of Maine, Higgins holds degrees in biology, chemistry and math. Higgins is also licensed for waste water, water treatment, distribution and operations management.

The most important reasons, however, in running for water district trustee, Higgins said, is improving communication between the boards. Together the sewer and water districts can provide greater service while preparing for the future, Higgins said.

“This place I think is at a point in its life where the next 10 to 20 years are going to be critical to the development of the region,” Higgins said. “The missions of the water district, the sewer district, the towns, they're pretty much the same. We're here to provide a service for our residents.”  

May 5 is election day and voting hours will be between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Town Office at 1011 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay.