Kittery sewer betterments draw scrutiny

  • Kathryn Hawkes, left, and Tricia Roubillard talk about how they are affected by the high sewer betterment estimates in Kittery, Maine, that range in the average range of $20,000 per household. |

    Kathryn Hawkes, left, and Tricia Roubillard talk about how they are affected by the high sewer betterment estimates in Kittery, Maine, that range in the average range of $20,000 per household. Photo by Ioanna Raptis/Seacoastonline

    By Brian Early
    bearly@seacoastonline.com

    Posted May. 29, 2016 at 2:01 AM

    KITTERY, Maine — The estimated sewer betterments that enraged and galvanized neighborhoods in town are much higher than previous sewer projects in Kittery.

    Depending on calculations, the amount of the initial betterment assessments is nearly $16,000 higher than previous projects, even when factoring inflation.

    While it seems unlikely the initial assessments will be the final ones (they will be likely much lower, though how much is yet unknown), the initial estimates raise questions about why town officials did not consider potential high assessments before sewer lines were extended to the Route 236 business park, Dana Avenue, and Mason, Martin and Stevenson roads.

    This is a big story, there is a lot more written by Brian Early here at this link @ the Portsmouth Herald. Click Here.

    MORE:

    to follow the story of the Kittery Sewer betterment fee saga, click here for the many of the stories at the Portsmouth Herald