Castine Hears Engineer's Priority List for Underground Infrastructure Work

An engineer with the town's contracted engineering firm presented an updated priority list for Castine's water, sewer, and drainage projects at a public meeting on September 25, 2026. The presentation covered roughly 11 ranked projects, led by Court Street and Perkins Street, and town officials said no decisions have been made. Officials pointed to retiring debt service as a chance to fund future work without large tax increases.

Key points

• The engineer presented an updated priority list building on a 2009 master plan, with Court Street (split into two sections) ranked first, followed by Perkins Street, and School Street last at number 11.
• The engineer said infrastructure costs have risen sharply since COVID, with treatment plant projects that once cost about $15 million now around $30 million.
• Town Manager Derrick Goodine said about 15 water main breaks occurred last year and asked how much the system has deteriorated since 2009.
• Officials said roughly $123,000 in water debt service and $390,000 in sewer plant debt service free up in 2027, with Main Street debt also retiring that year.
• The town has received a congressional grant for the C Street pump station and design money for one priority project; the pump station is expected to go out to bid in January or February.
• No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and officials said public comment and further discussion would follow.

Next steps

• The town will review debt service schedules and project cost estimates before making decisions on which projects to pursue.
• The C Street pump station is expected to be bid in January or February in time for town meeting.
• The town plans to apply for a Northern Border Regional Commission grant for the Court Street project, possibly in 2028.
• The town manager will meet with FEMA in Denver next week to discuss design plans for Water Street and Fort Madison.

Read the full transcript