RUMFORD — The Rumford Water District board of trustees voted Wednesday to begin negotiations with Poland Spring Water Co. about drawing water from the Ellis River watershed.

Following a 30-minute executive session after its regular meeting, Chairman James Thibodeau asked trustees their thoughts about starting negotiations with the Poland company.

Trustee Harrison Burns said he believes the Poland Spring presentation on Dec. 7, 2016, is a starting point and thinks “some things need to be changed in the things that they presented.”

Trustee Jolene Lovejoy said, “I think it’s time to get going on this, that we need to do something formal.”

Lovejoy read a written motion that requested that negotiations begin with Poland Spring’s parent company, Nestle Waters North America, and that any draft agreement be available for public inspection March 1. 

Notice of the public hearing April 5 for the draft agreement would be given to customers and the town, she said. She moved that the board act on any final agreement at its meeting May 3.

Trustees unanimously agreed with the motion.

Prior to the vote, Ricky Pershken, who has worked with the Rumford Water District for 35 years and is its hydrologist, presented his analysis of data from the Water District and Poland Spring to determine the sustainability of the Ellis River aquifer, based on drawing one million gallons per day.

He said the company test data compiled during the drought this past summer is what he would consider the worst-case scenario, adding that it was about a once-in-a-35-year occurrence.

“None of the data indicates that the Rumford Water District will be limited in their desired capacity of one million gallons per day,” Pershken said. “I don’t see any risk to the Water District’s sustainable supply.” 

He said he thinks it is safe to proceed with the discussions with Poland Spring.

Water District Superintendent Brian Gagnon asked Pershken how he arrived at the one million gallons figure.

Pershken said it would allow for a reserve for future growth in the town.

The Water District draws 400,000 gallons a day from Milligan Well for its customers. Poland Spring is proposing drawing up to 432,000 gallons a day on top of that — an average of 300 gallons per minute for 150 million gallons per year.

Gagnon said Milligan Well is not the only source that the district uses.

“We also have Scotty’s, which is capable of pumping quite a bit of water per day also,” he said.

“When you’re having contract negotiations, you’ve got to have some of those discussions privately,” district counselor Andrew Hamilton said. “We want to continue to consult with the public. We’ve heard from interested persons that they have a very strong interest in knowing what’s going on.”

Hamilton said, “You can’t get to a definitive agreement without getting started. All you decided tonight is that you want to get started.”

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