Ellsworth explores Maine Rural Water Association contract after Class 4 operator retirement

Speaker 1 reported the recent retirement of a Class 4 operator and said the city is pursuing two streams: recruiting for superintendent candidates while exploring a contract with the Maine Rural Water Association to serve as a Level 4 operator and provide mentorship and credentialing for staff. “We’re looking into potential…a contract with the Maine Rural Water Association to maybe on a temporary, but maybe on a permanent basis, become sort of a level 4 operator for the water treatment plant,” Speaker 1 said.

Speaker 1 described the association’s mentorship and training programs and framed the arrangement as budget-neutral given current vacancies. Committee members noted there are strong internal and external candidates for superintendent and recommended pursuing both recruitment and the association contract simultaneously.

The discussion also touched on facilities and operations: Speaker 1 said a rehabilitated mill building in the county could potentially consolidate indoor storage for school buses and water-department assets; the city plans to explore the option via RFP while notifying current lessees. There was no formal motion or vote related to the water operations discussion during the meeting.

Next steps: continue superintendent recruitment, pursue discussions with Maine Rural Water Association and, separately, issue an RFP to explore facility consolidation options.