About the Vote in Wells on May 16th
Poland Spring has been creating good jobs in Maine since 1845, even in tough economic times like these. We want to grow and invest in Wells, helping create and maintain jobs while sustaining our abundant water resources and protecting the environment.
On Saturday, May 16th, a special Town Hall meeting was held in Wells to vote on a proposed ordinance that threatened local jobs and businesses. The ordinance was overwhelmingly defeated by the people of Wells.
Poland Spring provides good jobs for 800 people from 125 Maine communities. We employ 400 workers in York County alone. On average we pay our employees over $20 an hour with full benefits, including medical, dental, vision, paid sick days and holidays, 401(K) plans, and even profit sharing. All told, our Maine employees earn over $40 million dollars every year in payroll. We spend another $65 million dollars each year with other Maine businesses, helping create additional jobs.
In Wells and in every town where we operate, we support strong ordinances that regulate water resources within the community, ensure water resources are protected, and use science for determining acceptable levels of water withdrawals. Maine towns like Hollis, Kingfield, and Denmark have benefited from regulatory ordinances that both protect local water resources and allow businesses to operate, creating jobs and opportunities for local residents.
However, unconstitutional ordinances, like the one that the people of Wells rejected, do not advance groundwater protection. They do threaten job creation and economic investment during challenging economic times.
We hope to grow and invest in Wells and will continue to work closely with citizens, community organizations and businesses to maximize the potential benefits to the local community.
Read more about the May 16th vote, where Wells citizens turned out to support jobs and investment in Wells by voting NO to the unconstitutional proposed ordinance.
Read a legal opinion prepared for the Town Manager of Wells that describes the legal risks and consequences of the proposed ordinance.
Read the proposed ordinance in full.
Read a Portland Press Herald editorial describing Poland Spring’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Read an article by Bill Nemitz describing Maine's abundant, renewable water resources.
For information about some of our existing springs and plants, please visit:
Kingfield
Fryeburg
Denmark
For more information about potential new sources we are considering, please visit:
Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District Site at Sanford and Wells
For additional information, please visit:
Poland Spring
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