By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

Trustees of the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District voted July 17 in favor of Superintendent Norm Labbe’s recommendation to table a potential contract with Nestlé’s water subsidiary Poland Spring.

The proposed contract would allow Poland Spring to pump water from the Barrens, part of the extensive Branch Brook watershed, originating near the Sanford airport and running along the Kennebunk and Wells town line. Upon signing the contract, the district would receive one $250,000 payment and Poland Spring would pay the water district twice the bulk water rate, with a minimum of $50,000 guaranteed annually. 

Citing a number of questions and objections related to the contract, a group of Kennebunk residents formed Save Our Water. 

“Whether opposed or in favor, with concerns valid or not, we are listening, understanding and responding to customer concerns,” Labbe said.

The board of trustees voted unanimously on Labbe’s recommendation to indefinitely table a contract vote. Trustee Thomas Oliver indicated he is prepared to vote against such a contract. 

 “I have received numerous e-mails and calls from residents and elected officials. Our water is a valuable commodity and for now, I think we should hold on to it,” Oliver said. 

Assistant Superintendent Scott Minor said the decision allows the district more time to research concerns raised by the public, enabling a more informed decision. He said indefinitely tabling negotiations means the district has no set schedule and the contract may or may not come back under consideration.

“This was a bigger issue than we realized it was going to be. We felt we needed to do more diligence to the decision and slow the process down,” Minor said. 

Nestle Natural Resource Manager Thomas Brennan said he expected the trustees would vote in favor of tabling the decision.

“Given the volume of reactions and the tactical responses of the folks who are opposed, I could understand how the trustees would be pressured,” Brennan said. 

He said there is an active discussion with the town of Shapleigh for a similar contract.

“The company needs to go where there is large capacity and high quality water,” he said.

Minor said the district will pursue researching the impact this contract would have and ensuring if water is removed in the future, there will be enough flow to support aquatic life. If the district would consider a similar contract in the future, Minor said they now realize the need to provide the public with ample information and more educational sessions.

“I’m a pleased with the decision, however I am not naive enough to think this is over. We know Nestle is a multi-million dollar corporation and they are not going to go away,” said Save Our Water organizer Jamilla El-Shafei.

She said Save Our Water is still organizing against contracts that could arise in the future.

She said an educational lecture is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, August 3 at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Main Street in Kennebunk.

The event will feature two residents of Barnstead, N.H. who helped craft a successful ordinance to prevent mass extraction of water from the town’s resources.

El-Shafei said members of Save Our Water are working with attorneys and state officials to create a similar ordinance for Kennebunk.