Water-sewer rates to increase less than expected

Water sewer rates are likely going up beginning July 1, but not as much as anticipated. Under new rates accepted by selectmen Tuesday night, the average residential bill will increase nearly $6 per quarter. All irrigation customers will see a decrease as will small businesses with low consumption. Owners of apartment complexes, nursing homes, and some businesses will see increases.

Selectmen felt the new rates as recommended by Doug Gardner of the Pioneer Consulting Group and the town’s Water/Sewer Rate and Policy Committee were fair and reasonable and only changed the suggested number of irrigation tiers from two to three levels.

The only information selectmen need in order to approve the new rates is information sought by Selectmen Bob Burr on the irrigation charges on businesses. Burr wants information on the percentages of businesses that use irrigation systems and how the new rates compare to other area towns. He said he does not want businesses to leave town because of much lower rates elsewhere. Selectmen gave Burr the option of reopening the public hearing depending on the information he receives.

Selectmen also reaffirmed a policy that they would not shut off anyone’s water as long as the owner has communicated with the town and worked out a reasonable payment system.

Gardner told selectmen at Tuesday’s public hearing that rates must increase because current expenditures exceed revenue; water reserves are almost depleted; and consumption is decreasing and has been decreasing for the past few years. DPW Superintendent Mike Trotta said consumption has decreased because of the weather (excessive rain), the recent economic downturn, and the state’s emphasis on water conservation.

Within the next two years, both town water treatment plants will be online and 100 percent operational, and at that time the town will be getting 85 percent of its water supply from town wells, thereby lowering the costs to the MWRA substantially.

The new rate structure is based on a conservation model. Gardner explained that the “more you use, the more you will pay; the less you use, the less you will pay.” The new rates dump the existing four-tier rate structure and a flat irrigation rate of $12.96 per 100 cubic feet of water to a four-step rate for all customers and a three-tier structure for irrigation.

The one change affecting everyone is the addition of a base charge designed to cover ongoing or fixed costs regardless of consumption. These fixed costs include meters, meter reading, personnel costs and portion of debt.

Most Canton homeowners use up to one inch meter and will be charged a quarterly fixed rate of $10 for water and $5 for sewer.

The first tier from 1-15 CCF of water will be $3.64 for water and $5.74 for sewer for a combined charge of $9.38. Trotta said this first tier represents a lower rate because the town does not have any senior citizen or lower income discounts and it represents essential water usage. The second tier from 16-40 CCF of water will be $6.05 for water and $6.20 for sewer.

For irrigation users rates will likely be $6.05 for 1-40 CCF; $9.97 for 41- 100 CCF; and $12.54 for more than 100 cubic feet of water.

Trotta apologized to selectmen and residents for earlier setting the irrigation rate at $12.96. He said it was the recommendation of the American Water Works Board, which advised him to set it at the highest residential rate. “It was a bad decision,” he said.

Trotta made the acknowledgment in response to a question posed by Tom Hayes of Oak Road, who asked who set the irrigation rates. Hayes said many residents who had purchased irrigation meters in hopes of saving money instead saw their water bills increase substantially. Selectmen Chairman Victor Del Vecchio said the new three-tier system will save money for irrigation users.

In other news:

 • Town Administrator Bill Friel said land clearing for the new Neponset Street Water Treatment Plant could begin any day off Riverview Road. Nearby residents have been notified by mail and information on construction will be posted on the town website.

• Selectmen honored Ed Sullivan and David McClelland for their years of service to the town. Ironically, both men are neighbors. McClelland served on various town boards for 25 years, primarily on the Conservation Commission, Personnel Board, and Ice Rink Committee. Del Vecchio said McClelland was his mentor when he first thought about town service.

Sullivan has served the town for 41 years, including years as a selectman, zoning board member, Water-Sewer Rate and Policy Committee member, and as the Canton representative to the Mass. Water Resources Authority. Del Vecchio announced that in his honor, the new water treatment plant on Neponset Street will be named the Edward Sullivan Water Treatment Plant.

• Selectmen accepted with regret the retirement of Larraine Redquest, office administrator for the Water and Sewer Division of the DPW, effective October 29. Selectmen plan a future recognition of her work.

• Selectmen proclaimed special days for three Eagle Scouts from Troop 77. They are Ross Gilander, who worked 240 hours on trails and paths at Pequitside Farm, Jeff Waldman, who worked on bat houses and taught students about bats, and Patrick Mangan, who spent 350 hours building an outdoor classroom at the Galvin Middle School.

• Selectmen appointed Anthony Pate as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

• Selectmen will now start their summer schedule and their next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 8.

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Posted by Mike Berger on May 27 2010. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.