Water rates for average homeowners will go up by about $20 per year.

The new rates and tap fees begin Aug. 1, city councilors agreed Tuesday.

Finance Director Dick Metivier said the rate increase will help pay off Water District debt on two water storage tanks in south Lewiston. The tanks cost the district $4.5 million.

The rate increase breaks down like this:

The first 1,200 cubic feet of water will cost $30.60 per quarter, up from $27.60. The next 9,000 cubic feet will cost $1.70 for every 100 cubic feet, up from $1.46. Those who use more than 10,200 cubic feet will pay $1.36 for every 100 cubic feet, up from $1.08.

Meters and taps will also be more expensive. Small, 5/8-inch meters will cost $30.60 per quarter, up from $27.60. One-inch meters will cost $71.40, up from $62.64. The biggest meters, 8 inches, will cost $2,003, up from $1,604.

Those add up to a 15-percent increase, Metivier said. That will mean about more $374,000 annually in the Water District’s budget.

– Scott Taylor
Lewiston: City upgrades Pontiac Building

City Hall will help fund renovations of the Pontiac Building for a regional economic development center.

Councilors agreed Tuesday to make up to $1.15 million available to the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council and the Lewiston Development Corp.

“Now these groups can solidify their own financing and the project can move forward,” said Greg Mitchell, assistant city administrator.

The old Lisbon Street building is on the northern edge of the city’s Southern Gateway, next to the new municipal parking garage being built.

– Scott Taylor
Lewiston: Kennedy Park gets review

A new board will study how Kennedy Park is used and plan for its future. The City Council named an 11-member board to create a master plan for the park. They also appointed City Councilor Robert Connors to the group.

The committee will be made up of one appointee each from the Downtown Advisory Board, the Empower Lewiston Board, the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council and a member of the city Planning Board.

Mayor Normand Guay and Council President Renee Bernier will appoint another six residents. Guay urged anyone interested to notify the city clerk’s office.

– Scott Taylor
Lewiston: BMV closed Monday

A computer upgrade will keep all Maine branches of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shuttered Monday.

The Secretary of State’s office is encouraging customers to work their schedules around the closing. Some services, such as getting driving records, searching for vanity plates, getting duplicate licenses and ID cards, can be taken care of online, at www.maine.gov/sos/bmv.