The water tower at Mitchell Field, constructed in 1952-53, is one piece of the crumbling infrastructure of an obsolete military fuel depot. Engineering reviews have been done for the town in 2012 and 2014. Both reports are available on the town web site.

The 2012 study by DeLuca Hoffman Associates of South Portland concludes the tower is in generally good repair but itemizes many safety and maintenance deficiencies that must be addressed and details substantial work needed to make the tower serviceable. The five concrete foundation piers are crumbling and need substantial repair or replacement. The exterior coating system is “In very poor condition and has failed.” There are a number of rust areas, broken welds and safety concerns that must be addressed. The report concludes “The budgetary cost to complete improvements to the water storage tank is $350,000.”

The second report was done by Utility Services Group of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The company inspects over 8000 water tanks per year nationwide. This report includes an evaluation of the inside of the dome that was not done in the earlier review because of dome ladder safety problems. None of the recommendations in either report are listed as optional.

The interior of the dome has an estimated 500 rust pits. Each must be cleaned, filled with a weld, ground flat, then recoated. The interior care costs are estimated at $130,000. The exterior must be blasted and recoated. Containment and disposal of blasting debris, because of lead, is required per this report. The exterior care costs is $260,000. The total 2014 cost estimate is $433,000.

If the town should decide to invest in repair, there should be a demonstrated need for its use. The decision will also trigger expanded costs beyond the repair. The water must first be treated to remove iron and manganese. Specialized filtration for gasoline and diesel range organics, (GRO and DRO) followed by 2 years of quarterly testing, then periodic sampling are all DEP requirements. The report further states the operation of the well will be regulated as a public water supply under Maine Rules for Drinking Water. The state also requires all testing and monitoring be done by licensed operators. Proponents of saving the tower that pledge a willingness to monitor the wells themselves unwittingly demonstrate they have not read the reports. Their obfuscation misrepresents the facts.

Pumps capable of filling a 100,000 gallon tank 100 feet in the air are expensive to buy and run. The need of a secure building to house all the equipment and keep it from freezing is also detailed in the reports. These requirements add more than an additional $100,000.

The theory of use as a cell tower should reflect active interest by at least one carrier. In 2004 the board of selectmen contacted Verizon and ATT to see if they had interest in using the tower for cell service. There was no interest even though the tower behind the recycling station had not yet been built.

Because the water tower is adjacent to the fire station the fire department was asked if they wanted it. They declined, citing the high cost of maintenance. Last week the fire department reaffirmed the position of the board of directors. They clearly stated they have no interest in use of the water tower.

The small concrete block building at the base of the tower was built to house an oil-fired furnace. A heating element was inserted into the base of the riser stem and freezing of the water was mitigated. The report does not address winter maintenance. What might that cost today? Will the tower be drained for half the year?

In 2003 the town carried insurance from the Maine Municipal Association. Their representative contacted the town and wanted to tour Mitchell Field. I accompanied that representative on the tour. Several weeks later the town received a letter that explained because of the many safety hazards and attractive nuisances existing at Mitchell Field our insurance coverage would be canceled. Only because of the work done by selectman Lee Theberge were we able to get insurance coverage before the cancellation date.

Little has been done since to remove the hazards at Mitchell Field, but between then and now folks have used the pier for walking, fishing, and the like. A few years ago the north part of the pier collapsed onto the bay. Some time later the pump house next to the pier collapsed. Over time our board of selectmen changes as new members are elected. Justifiably, they act with restraint rather than haste. But now these issues have been underfoot for 12 to 15 years. Should we pay for a third engineering study of that water tower? Shouldn’t we take a pragmatic and frugal approach?

Risk and safety are my concerns. I understand how some folks feel sentimental about it. This, however, is a serious and expensive business decision: Should we spend $20,000 to $30,000 and tear it down or up to $400,000, and more to repair it for unplanned, unsubstantiated uses? I urge that the tower be removed.

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James Knight lives in Harpswell.