Editor:

In March 2008 the Maine Legislature passed LD 1221 granting Kennebunk Light and Power (KLPD) the right to serve our entire town. This culminated a long struggle by the citizens of Kennebunk to receive service from our own utility. Central Maine Power (CMP) did everything they could to prevent this bill from passing and the untiring efforts of many dedicated citizens resulted in eventual success.

On Tuesday, Nov. 4 there will be a binding referendum on the ballot here in Kennebunk asking the voters to approve LD 1221. This law grants KLPD the right to serve our entire town and has been overwhelmingly approved by Kennebunk voters twice before. It was approved in a non-binding referendum before LD 1221 was passed and again shortly after the bill as passed.

The reason we are having another referendum is that it was discovered that the binding referendum should have been voted on at least 90 days after the close of the legislative session and that date was July 18. Since we want to be absolutely sure we are meeting all legal requirements, it is necessary to have one more vote.

At present there is little difference in rates between KLPD and CMP. However, over the course of this 40-year struggle, we have seen the rates fluctuate. The overriding concerns here should be quality and reliability of service and the benefits of cohesiveness in having our own local utility serve all of our residents. Our police and fire departments can describe many instances of missed calls and confusion (are they on CMP or KLPD service?) and the frequent and often extended power outages for those of us on CMP are costly and worrisome. CMP provides repair service to Kennebunk from Alfred, while KLPD is known for prompt local service and proactive tree trimming.

Our bill passed because our legislators saw that it will be tremendously beneficial to the town of Kennebunk to have the entire town served by the utility we all own as residents. Another overwhelmingly positive vote will help KLPD in future negotiations with CMP. Please contact any of us on the Citizens for Electrical Equity in Kennebunk (CEEK) committee if you have any further questions.

Peter A. Hanson

CEEK Committee