BOS to decide on water/sewer rate hikes

Water and sewer costs are likely to increase almost 6 percent for the next fiscal year after a recommendation put forth Tuesday night to selectmen and the Water/Sewer Rate and Policy Committee.

Consultant Doug Gardner, president of Pioneer Consulting Group, who has advised the town on utility rates for the past several years, said last summer’s drought saw more water purchased by the town from the Mass. Water Resources Authority (MWRA), and as a result the state agency assessed the town an additional $874,592. Other factors leading to a rate hike are increases in operating expenses and water debt caused by more water capital projects.

Gardner said the average Canton homeowner would see a combined increase of 5.83 percent, or $17.60 per quarter. The increases would apply to the minimum charges as well as the step rates, which are designed to promote water conservation.

“In Canton, the saying goes, ‘The more you use, the more you will pay,’” Gardner explained.

The increases for single residents, particularly the elderly, will likely be minimal as selectmen instituted a low rate for the lowest water users a few years ago.

Gardner said water rates have not increased in three years and in fact decreased in one of those years. He added that if Canton has a normal rainfall during the summer and is less dependent on MWRA water, it is likely that the water rate would decrease the following year.

The town’s water and sewer operations are self-sustaining and funded by water and sewer rates. Gardner said the water and sewer enterprise funds are in good shape and the proposed rate increases will further strengthen those accounts. Gardner said the cost of a gallon of water in Canton is currently 1.12 cents and the cost per gallon of sewerage is 1.51 cents.

The rates will be submitted to the Water/Sewer Rate and Policy Committee and resubmitted to the selectmen in time for the next selectmen’s meeting on June 13. If approved, the new rates would take effect July 1 …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jun 2 2017. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.