LIVERMORE FALLS – Selectmen will consider increasing sewer user rates Monday for the second time since Jan. 1.

Selectmen in their capacity as Sewer Department trustees voted in October to raise the rates effective Jan. 1 from a base rate of $45 per quarter to $50, and increased the consumption rate from 2 cents to 3 cents per cubic foot or 7 gallons of use.

Sewer users will see the effect of that increase for the first quarter in April.

It was the first time in about 10 years the rates were increased.

In the meantime, Sewer Clerk Sue Sapiel said the department is $65,000 in the red and is suggesting the rates be increased at least another 10 percent to help offset it.

Over the past few years, the department took out a $250,000 loan to pay for sewer line upgrades on several roads and also experienced unexpected breaks requiring repairs.

There is also a major sewer upgrade in the future on a portion of Route 4 that will be done in conjunction with the Maine Department of Transportation, Livermore Falls Water District and Jay Sewer Department. That work is not expected to be done this year and is not factored in the 10 percent increase, Sapiel said.

Selectmen also stopped a practice of fixing broken sewer lines right up to a residence last year that was costing the Sewer Department about $20,000 annually. Now property owners are responsible for repairs from their home to the connection at the main.

Selectmen had agreed to look at revenues in two years when the rates were set last year but town auditor Ron Smith warned earlier this year it should be done now.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. March 9 at the town office.