DIXFIELD – The Water Department board and the Water Advisory Committee will meet with Steve Levy of Maine Rural Water next week to discuss a rate increase.

Town Manager Tom Richmond said selectmen, who act as the water board, have recommended a 66 percent increase from the $45 per quarter charged now to $75 per quarter for basic service.

The additional money would be used to begin replacing water lines, Richmond said.

He said some members of the Water Advisory Committee want the town to borrow all the money for the water line replacements instead of replacing pipes a little at a time.

Richmond said a tentative plan was to not only replace a few pipes at a time, but also repair or replace the streets where the pipes are located.

Earlier at Monday’s special meeting with the Water Advisory Committee, Richmond said selectmen turned down his request to hire a lawyer to represent the town at a Public Utility Commission meeting in Augusta when the rate comes up. Richmond said since the PUC has a public advocate who is a lawyer, he believes the town should also be represented by legal counsel.

The meeting with Levy takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Ludden Memorial Library.