Proposed Ordinance in Wells Would Threatens Jobs in the Area and Drive Businesses...

Proposed Ordinance in Wells Would Threatens Jobs in the Area and Drive
Businesses Out of Town

Poland Spring Looking to Grow and Invest in Wells

HOLLIS, Maine, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, May 16th, there will be a
special Town Hall meeting in Wells for a vote on a proposed ordinance that
will threaten jobs and drive business out of the area. The Town Hall meeting
will be held at 9am at the Wells Elementary School.

Tom Brennan, the Senior Natural Resource Manager for Poland Spring in Maine,
released the following statement regarding the upcoming vote:

"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, but some
people are pushing a local ordinance that would threaten jobs in the area and
drive businesses out of town.

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 proposed in Wells, do not
advance groundwater protection and threaten job creation and economic
investment during challenging economic times.

We are strongly urging voters in Well to vote NO on the proposed ordinance
coming to a vote on Saturday, May 16th during the special Town Hall meeting."

-- 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.

ABOUT POLAND SPRING: Since 1845, Poland Spring has been using an abundant,
renewable resource to make the most popular spring water brand in the Unites
States. Today, Poland Spring operates three bottling plants in Poland Spring,
Hollis and Kingfield. The Kingfield facility, opened in February of this year,
represents a $60 million investment and 40+ new jobs in western Maine. Poland
Spring also operates satellite spring sources located in Fryeburg, Poland,
Dallas Plantation, Pierce Pond Township and St. Albans. Today Poland Spring:

-- Employs 800 Maine people across the state
-- Has invested over $439 million in capital in Maine since 1992
-- Provides about $40 million to the economy in payroll
-- Spends over $65 million directly with Maine vendors

-- Has invested over $2.5 million in community giving since 2000 to
support
schools, fire and rescue, environmental conservation, and many local
and
statewide causes.

SOURCE Poland Spring

Corey Hascall of Barton & Gingold, +1-207-774-2458, ext. 117, cell,
+1-207-650-2343, corey@bartongingold.com, for Poland Spring