Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-20
Decision in Old Town
and Brewer Water Cases

The Public Utilities commission
Monday rendered a decision in the
cases Of Georgia P. Porter and others
against the Bangor Railway & Elec-
trio Co. and Joseph H. Gibbons and
others against the same company in
respect to the water supply of the
cities of Old Town and Brewer and
the towns Of Orono. Orrington and
Veazie. The commission believes
that the towns and municipalities
ought to enter into negotiation with
the company. which proposes a plan
of filtration.
Old Town Case
A preliminary hearing on the Old
Town complaint was ordered for Nov.
2. 1915. None of the compliments ap-
peared, personally. or by representa-
tive or by attorney, or by any writ
ten statement. The respondents attor-
ney, E. G. Ryder, and representatives
of the corporation appeared, admitted
that the water was not at all times
fit for domestic use, and discussed the
situation and possible remedies in gem
eral. The facts are fully set forth in
connection with our order dated Nov.
Is. 1915. in which the respondent was
directed Immediately to take steps to
furnish the inhabitants Of the city of
Old Town with pure water. and to re-
port plans and progress, P. U. r. 1916
A 07
An inexpensive device for purifica-
ton of the water was installed and
has since been in use, pending a def
mite understanding with the city of
Old Town on matters mentioned in
that decision. The evidence in the case
shows that the inhabitants of Old
Town were at the time the complaint
was made, getting precisely the char
acter of water that the city council
contracted for March 13. 1913, and
that its impurity and the causes of
the same were then known in a gen.
eral way at least.
The Brewer Case
THE Brewer complaint was filed
Nov. 80, 1915 and alleged that the wa
ter is impure and unfit for drinking
and domestic purposes and lack of
sufficient hydrant pressure for fire
protection. Hearing was held at Ban
gor. February 10. 1916.
THE respondent pleaded and the
evidence tended to show, that the wa
ter was not suitable for domestic use;
that this had been known for some
time, that the respondent had sought,
unsuccessfully, to procure suitable
contract with the city of Brewer UNI
der which it might proceed with the
construction of chemical filter, or the
taking of water from Chemo Lake. and
ha d.
coed as soon as this could be accom-
plished.
Both cases have since been sus-
pended awaiting the working out of a
comprehensive plan that would pro-
vide suitable service for the territory
served by the respondent as a water
utility. This territory includes, actu-
ally or potentially under it's charter
Brewer, Old Town, Orono, Veazie and
Orrington."
The decision closes: 1T is therefore
ordered, adjudged and decreed, that
the Bangor Railway & Electric Co.
forthwith deliver to the city or town
clerks of Brewer. Old Town, Orono, Or
rington and Veazie copies of the afore-
said report and plan, with written of
IeIS 10 enter into negotiations with
said several cities and towns to carry
the same into effect under the terms
and conditions Of said Chapter 1856
Private and Special Laws of 1913;
that 1t prosecute diligently all reason
able efforts to effect the same; and
that 1T report it's efforts and progress
in detail to this commission on or be-
fore August 1, 1916. and thereafter as
ordered