FARMINGTON – Selectmen voted to enter into a five-year contract for sludge removal from the town’s sewage treatment plant.

The bid was awarded to New England Organics for $44,300 a year. After the first year, the contract price is subject to increases based on the consumer price index.

The board accepted Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Steve Moore’s recommendation to go with the company. The company transports the bio-solids, also known as sludge to Unity, according to Moore’s memo to selectmen.

They have the option of land spreading on “our sites,” Moore said, or composting at Hawk Ridge Compost Facility.

Although the company’s price is $5 a yard more for land spreading, Moore stated, the cost of composting will offset it

Bates Mill deal discussed

LEWISTON – Jim Bennett’s Bates Mill exit strategy could cost as much as $59.2 million over the next seven years, the city administrator told councilors.

That’s how much existing contracts and agreements with developer Tom Platz will cost the city if nothing changes. Any plan to get the city out of those contracts can’t help but save money, Bennett said.

“That is the amount we are obligated to spend right now, for the next few years,” Bennett said. “But if we can negotiate a deal to even save $1 million of that, that’s a better deal.”

Bennett continues making his case for the city to disentangle itself from the Bates Mill Enterprise Complex. The final deal could be made public by the council’s next meeting on Nov. 18, he said.

Tax bills likely to increase

MINOT – Selectmen set the 2003 Minot property tax rate at 16.5 mills.

The rate is down from last year’s 23.3 mills. That doesn’t mean taxes are going down.

Rather, the new rate reflects a recently completed townwide property revaluation. While the rate is down, valuations rose significantly. Very likely, taxes will be higher.

Selectman Eda Tripp pointed out that in March’s town meeting voters approved a large increase in spending. County tax was up more than $17,000, and $180,000 more was raised for schools.

The town side of the budget was up $71,000, compared with the previous year.

“For anyone who is upset with their tax bill, I offer a personal invitation to them to attend next March town meeting,” said Selectman Dean Campbell.

Worker injured

at paper plant OK

RUMFORD – A Tennessee man was released from Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston Wednesday morning after falling off a ladder on Oct. 22 while working at MeadWestvaco Corp.

Steve Davis, Corporate Risk and Safety Manager at Chattanooga Boiler and Tank Co. Inc., said Bill Davis, no relation, sustained three injured ribs and a fractured right wrist after falling 10 feet last Wednesday night.

“It was a scare to us, but he’s all right, and his wife’s driving him home,” Steve Davis said from Chattanooga late Wednesday afternoon. “Bill didn’t have a head injury, but he did suffer from shock.”

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Contract set for sludge removal

FARMINGTON – Selectmen voted to enter into a five-year contract for sludge removal from the town’s sewage treatment plant.

The bid was awarded to New England Organics for $44,300 a year. After the first year, the contract price is subject to increases based on the consumer price index.

The board accepted Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Steve Moore’s recommendation to go with the company. The company transports the bio-solids, also known as sludge to Unity, according to Moore’s memo to selectmen.

They have the option of land spreading on “our sites,” Moore said, or composting at Hawk Ridge Compost Facility.

Although the company’s price is $5 a yard more for land spreading, Moore stated, the cost of composting will offset it.

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