ROCKPORT — At a special meeting July 23, four Rockport residents and one Camden resident were named by the Rockport Select Board to a new task force with a specific mission: To study the costs and benefits of a collaborative approach for improving wastewater treatment systems in the Towns of Rockport and Camden, including a municipal utility district.

A project deadline was specified — report findings to the Select Board prior to the 2025 Rockport Town Meeting in order to place any recommendations on the municipal warrant – and to operate according to the following guiding principles:

Fair Price: Sewage treatment must be available for a fair price to all residents who use the sewer system in Rockport.

Sufficient Treatment Plant Capacity: Additional wastewater treatment plant capacity must be available, thus preserving or expanding Rockport’s ability to pursue economic development (e.g., workforce housing or commercial business expansion).

Business Model Innovation: Look for innovative ways to develop a business structure and financial solution that is consistent with these guiding principles. That shall include the concept of a Municipal Utility District (MUD) for both towns (and perhaps include Rockland) or having a new plant in Rockport accept flows currently sent to Camden (e.g., the landfill) to relieve stress on their plant. Nothing should be eliminated from consideration.

After some discussion, including whether it was relevant to appoint a Camden resident to the committee, the Select Board named Sally Cook, Taylor Allen, Richard Aroneau, Scott Gazelle, Des FitzGerald, with Sam Temple as an alternate, to the task force.

The task force was subsequently sent forth to organize and elect a chair. A Rockport staff member is to be appointed as a liaison.

Two days later, The Rockport Select Board sent a letter (see attached PDF) to the Town of Camden, formally informing Camden Town Manager Audra Caler about the task force, and suggesting a similar committee be formed in Camden.

“While we know that there was not a similar ballot initiative in Camden, we hope that you would consider establishing a companion committee that would work with the Rockport group.”

According to the letter, which was signed by Select Board Chair Denise Munger on behalf of the board, Rockport was recently notified that it was being considered for a $2 million federal grant: “if we could show that a proposal to extend our system along Route 90, from the high school to Route 17, was feasible. This project would not increase Rockport’s wastewater flow to Camden above its historically allocated amount (161,000 gallons per day). 

“We recently became aware that the federal officials reached out to Camden staff to explore whether sufficient capacity could be provided to Rockport for the extension. We understand that the Camden response was positive, and we’re grateful if that is the case.”

Rockport further stated in its letter that it hopes to explore how the town can work with Camden to clarify the point.

“If we have misunderstood the current situation, we would nevertheless appreciate an opportunity to clarify the standard to which we must hold our plans for any future development,” the letter said.

And finally, Rockport seeks resolution to a lawsuit that was filed against Rockport by Camden. The town maintains it,” has paid in full all amounts owed by Rockport under the lawsuit, including interest and late payment charges during that period.”

Rockport is asking Camden to dismiss the suit and is, “happy to discuss this further if we have missed something,” Munger wrote.

“While there remains a charge for late fees attributable to a lost check received by Camden in March 2023, and replaced at Camden’s request in September 2023, we assume these late fees are an administrative oversight,” she wrote. “However, they are still reflected in the Maine Water spreadsheet.”

Munger continued:

“Separate from the lawsuit are additional amounts unpaid on Camden’s 2023-2024 fiscal sewer billing to Rockport which reflects the rate quoted to Rockport by Camden staff for use in our 2023-2024 wastewater budget. This quoted rate reduction of 15 percent was the result of a mediated settlement between Camden and Rockport and subsequently confirmed by Camden staff in July 2024. 

“Rockport set its budget and billed its wastewater customers for the past year accordingly. However, with the first invoice in that fiscal year, Camden bill the full rate via Maine Water, while Rockport paid the 15 percent discounted rate as quoted by Camden staff. The difference between the Camden billed amount and the Rockport 15 percent discount is $68,363.35, which includes late fees associated with this issue. We welcome your thoughts on how best to resolve this.”

The letter ended with a suggestion that Camden and Rockport meet to talk about the ongoing issues.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657