After an hour of discussing the proposed consolidation of the Southport Water District during the October 10 public hearing, someone in the crowd at Southport Town Hall asked a simple question.

They asked Chairman Gerry Gamage what he thought of the upcoming vote to allow Boothbay Region Water District to assume all of Southport's Water District and what it would mean to the island community.

Despite initial hesitation of handing the district over to a neighboring community, Gamage gave the proposal a ringing endorsement.

“I've lived and breathed the Southport Water District for the last 40 years,” he said. “As the fire chief, I see the importance of having water all around us. In terms of fire protection the more hydrants we have, the better off we'll be. Good fire protection will cost you money.”

More than 50 people came to discuss the proposed inclusion of the water district.

Boothbay Region Water District Supervisor John Ziegra and Southport Selectmen answered questions about the proposed inclusion which would hand over control of the Southport water system to the Boothbay Region Water District.

The proposed plan will be on the ballot for voters in Southport, Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor during the November 6 election. The Oct. 10 meeting was to allow voters a chance to discuss the proposed merger.

Ziegra said that the idea of integrating Southport into the district surfaced in 2001 after East Boothbay joined the district.

“At the time, it didn't quite fit,” he said. “But, we kept the door open.”

With the Boothbay Region Water District's financial flexibility and ability to land state and federal grants, Southport could boost its poor rating with the Insurance Service Office with the addition of more fire hydrants and costs would be further spread out among the three towns.

Ziegra was not hesitant to say that the Boothbay Region Water District was eager to add more customers to its base. The inclusion would bump the Boothbay Water District's number of customers from 2,810 to 3,320.

Currently, taxpayers in Southport pay approximately $43,000 per year toward the Southport Water District. Ziegra said that in the first year of the proposed induction, that number would tumble to roughly $10,000 to $12,000.

That estimated figure is based on the number of hydrants on Southport.

As projects increase on the island and more fire hydrants are added, Southport's rates will increase. The proposal includes a hydrant every 1,000 feet along the road in Southport.

One of the main reasons for the proposed merger is fire protection, but having a reliable source of drinking water is another benefit, Gamage said.

Southport would be represented on the Water District board by two trustees, putting it on equal footing with the towns already in the district.

If either Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor or Southport rejects the plan, it will be put on hold for another 2 years. If it is rejected again there won't be another vote to include Southport.

If the merger goes through, homes using well systems would have the option to connect to the water system for drinking water. However, those homeowners would have to pay for the cost of connecting the pipes.

Southport Selectman Smith Climo said he was completely behind the idea of handing over the water district to Boothbay Region Water District, saying the plan was a long-range move.

“We're looking out for what's best for our island,” Climo said. “We would increase the fire protection and give folks the option to connect to the water main.

“We live on a rock; we need to start looking down the road. We want to make sure there is always potable water on the island. I think now is the time to make our move.”

Southport resident Steve Gaudette echoed Climo, saying Southport might not get another opportunity to have fresh water delivered to the island.

“What happens if salt water gets into our wells?” Gaudette said. “We will be in a lot of trouble. That's why I think this is a good thing.”

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.