DIXFIELD — Selectmen will hold two public hearings beginning at 5 p.m.  Monday, Sept. 17, in the community room of Dirigo High School to discuss a sewer rate hike and a proposal to withdraw from RSU 10.

The first hearing dealing with a proposed sewer rate hike will be followed by a selectmen’s meeting to act on a new rate, Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said.

The hearing to discuss pulling out of RSU 10, as required by the state whenever a town proposes to withdraw from a school district, begins at 6 p.m.

Skibitsky said the town’s auditor recommended a sewer rate hike from the current $62.33 per quarter, per unit currently because the department has no reserves. Also, the department owes the town about $50,000 for various projects.

The exact increase will be set by selectmen after the hearing. However, a 20 percent increase to about $74.75 has been proposed. If approved, the new rate would go into effect in October.

Sewer rates were last increased in 2008.

A petition signed by more than 130 residents calling for withdrawal from RSU 10 was submitted to selectmen last month by Jon Holmes.

Residents are encouraged to attend the public hearing where RSU 10 Superintendent Tom Ward and selectmen from other towns that were once a part of the former SAD 21 are expected to attend. Prior to the formation of RSU 10 three years ago, SAD 21 included Dixfield, Canton, Carthage and Peru.

If Dixfield should decide to pursue withdrawal, residents at the Nov. 6 election must approve spending up to $50,000 for legal and other costs associated with that action.

Withdrawal, if chosen, is an 18-month or so process that would require another vote once all information has been gathered.