SB approves water & sewer rate hikes for FY22

Canton residents can expect a 6 percent rise in water bills and a 2 percent increase in sewer bills effective July 1.

However, the July 1 bill reflects the quarterly usage for April, May and June. Canton Finance Director Randy Scollins said the new rates will result in a quarterly increase of $9.29 for the average Canton user, breaking down to $5.84 for water and $3.44 for sewer.

Scollins said the increases are due to a combination of factors, including operational expenses, capital projects, MWRA assessments and less revenue.

Select Board member Lisa Lopez said unfortunately while Canton residents are doing their part to conserve water, it means less revenue, which is resulting in higher rates.

On a long-range basis, Scollins projected another 6 percent increase in FY23 and 3 percent increases from FY24-26. For sewer, current long-range projections call for annual increases of 2 percent from FY23-26.

The utility rates were recommended to the board by the Water/Sewer Rate & Policy Committee.

In other news from Tuesday’s meeting, the town will lift its emergency COVID-19 orders on the same date that the Massachusetts State of Emergency is set to end (June 15). The Select Board decided that the Senior Tax Credit Program can also restart as of June 15. Also, pending approval by the Canton Library Board of Trustees, library volunteers can begin working at the library on May 29. With crowd limitations also rescinded June 15, the board is considering in-person government meetings. However, due to the strong participation in Zoom meetings, the board is reviewing the option of allowing a hybrid open session/remote meeting with one or two town boards …

See this week’s Citizen to continue reading and for more highlights from the May 25 Select Board meeting. Special Spring Promo: $30 for 1 yr or $50 for 2 yrs for new in-town subscribers. Click here to subscribe today.

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