NEW SHARON – The New Sharon Water District is holding a public hearing Thursday on proposed new water rates for its customers. The rate schedule is expected to go into effect in October.

The higher rates are intended to increase the district’s annual revenues by $14,999, an increase of 30 percent.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the New Sharon Town Office.

Trustee Forrest Bonney said the district hasn’t really had the money it needs to keep up with the maintenance of broken shutoffs and broken meters. And water testing and other tasks required to meet state and federal drinking water standards take more time, he said.

Trustee Bob Fidler, who handles the financial end of the rate proposal, was not available to say what the actual rate hike would mean to individual customers.

The district serves about 100 customers and has four part-time employees, most of them trustees who are paid a total of $7,000, according to a previous annual report.

The proposed increases by customer types are:

• Residential – $13,956, an overall 45 percent increase.

• Commercial – $543, an overall 45 percent increase.

• Public and private fire protection – $500, representing an overall 3 percent increase.

Public and private fire protection has been adjusted in accordance with Public Utility Commission regulations.

Information on the proposed rate increases is at the New Sharon Town Office.

People have the right to a hearing, and to further hearings before the PUC, which may be contacted at 287-3831 or by writing to State House Station 18, Augusta, ME 04333.

The public advocate is available upon request for assistance in water rate matters, and may be contacted by calling 287-2445 or writing to State House Station 112, Augusta, ME 04333.

If, within 30 days of the public hearing, 15 percent of district customers petition the treasurer and the commission for a review of the rate changes, the rate change may be suspended, investigated, reviewed and changed.

Signatures on the petition are invalid unless accompanied by the printed names and addresses of the signers. Upon request, the PUC would provide customers with the appropriate petition forms.