On Jan. 14, Boothbay Region Water District trustees discussed the possible switch to a more advanced meter system following a presentation from EJ Prescott (EJP). The company is surveying to see how many communication towers would be required to read meters remotely from the district office if the switch was made. 

While the EJP system would be a “significant cost,” according to General Manager Weston Alley, there are multiple benefits. This includes the ability for the office to get notified if a house gets below freezing or remotely detect a pipe leak on either the district or homeowner's side. These meters listen to the acoustics in the water column, not pipe material, so they can detect leaks in the water main, Alley explained.

The district will also be hearing a presentation from Core & Main, BRWD's current provider, to see what upgrades can be made to the system already in place. The plans will then be compared and voted on before any change is made.  

In other business, the trustees discussed the progress of their motion to remove the debt limit from the district’s charter. The decision will need to go to the legislature for approval. Right now, BRWD is waiting for a hearing. 

As previously reported in the Register, if the debt limit (currently set at $19 million) is removed, any future increases can become an internal decision rather than going to voters for approval. This is meant to prevent the board from having to revisit the debt limit when applying for grants or completing large projects. 

BRWD also received 70% principal forgiveness on a $1.43 million loan for its Hendricks Hill Road water main replacement project. This brings the overall $5.3 million project cost down to $429,900.