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Following a public hearing, the Board of Water Commissioners on September 12 voted to approve new rates effective October 1.
Peter Boria, superintendent of Utilities & Facilities, gave a presentation which included rationale for the proposed changes as well as some history about the fee schedule.
“The water department is not generating enough revenue to cover major repairs that need to be done in the distribution system,” Boria said. While the existing rates generate funds to pay employees, operate the department day-to-day and do small repairs, they cannot address “the aging infrastructure in the ground,” or allow for planning to replace it in a “systematic fashion,” according to Boria.
“We’re chasing break after break and doing band-aid after band-aid while trying to replace small sections on a 100-year-old water main that is ready to go,” he said.
Boria said taking a step forward to do more systematic repairs now rather than in a few years would be less expensive.
Commission Chairman Norman Letendre Jr. noted that the base rate of $150 per 1,500 cubic feet/per meter applies to more than half the users and remains the same.
“Bigger users are getting a slight increase,” Letendre said. “We had to do something. Everything is going through the roof….”
He noted that the Commissioners wanted to keep the minimum cost the same, realizing “A lot of people are struggling to keep their heads above water right now.”
Following the base rate, the adopted schedule would be as follows: $7.48 for the next 1,500 cubic feet used, a 5% increase; $8.26 for the next 3,000 cubic feet, $8.82 for the next 2,000 cubic feet and $9.66 for above 8,000 cubic feet used, all 10% increases.
As a result of the vote, the rate hikes for tie-in fees will be $2,500 for a single unit up to two-inch pipe; $1,500 per additional unit for a multi-unit dwelling; $3,000 for three-inch pipe; $4,000 for four-inch pipe; $6,000 for six-inch pipe; $8,000 for eight-inch pipe; $10,000 for ten-inch pipe; and $12,000 for 12-inch pipe.
A concerned resident spoke about the burden rates put on people, particularly along with the high cost of sewer, trash, food and other expenses. She said it would be preferable to have a plan on what needs to be done so residents can “absorb it mentally,” and “ruminate,” on what is ahead so that they can know what they are facing.
Boria said, “We’re putting out fires and doing the best we can with what we have.” He said that a half-mile of water main on Ash Street was just replaced following multiple leaks, using $300,000 in capital funds originally meant for somewhere else.
As a general practice, when the town is paving/repairing a road, it replaces the pipe at the same time, according to commissioners. Highland, Pleasant, Elm and Chestnut were among streets cited as examples.
In other business, the board discussed several issues, some of which will be put on the next agenda.
Route 9 project, personnel issue put on future agenda
Town Administrator Jeff Bridges talked about the Route 9 project, noting that he and Boria are working with the Department of Transportation. He said if the water line is included in the project, the town will have to pay for it separately.
To issue a bid, he said the town needs to sign a participation agreement saying it will pay for improvements. Although Boria has submitted a grant for this work, if the town does not get it, “we have to do it one way or another,” Bridges said.
He said the issue would be put on the November 7 Special Town Meeting warrant as a debt authorization.
At its next meeting, Water Commissioners will have to vote on recommending this submission to the warrant.
Also at the next meeting, the board will talk more about getting an additional part-time employee at the Utilities office.
Letendre noted that the current two senior clerks are “overwhelmed down there,” with a “constant stream of walk-ins, phone calls, permits, etc.
They work not only for the water department but also on sewer and highway matters.
Boria said the timing of the personnel request is very important. He acknowledged that the office is busy but the problems arise when one person is out.
“If they are both there, things go well. If one person is out, it is easy to fall behind.”
However, Boria said a case could be made at other Town Hall offices needing additional staff.
The town administrator said if the water department funds the person, he/she could only do work in that area. Costs would have to be shared in a different scenario.
When board members alluded to personnel being part of the town’s possible override, Bridges interjected, “We’re trying to keep the lights on in the building.”
Commissioner Eben Butler said the matter should be part of the 2026 budget process. Boria will bring more information to the next meeting.
