SB approves water rate hike, but no increase for sewer
By Mike BergerCanton water users can expect to see a 6 percent hike in their annual water bills effective July 1, which works out to $18 annually or $1.50 per month for the average user. The sewer rates will remain unchanged in the coming fiscal year.
The Select Board approved the recommendations of the Water-Sewer Rate Study Committee, which were outlined at Tuesday’s meeting by Finance Director Randy Scollins.
Scollins said the major contributors to the increase were capital projects for the Water Department and a change in the financing structure of these projects from just borrowing to a mixture of cash and debt. Such a financial arrangement has enabled them to minimize increases to the sewer rates, which went from a 4 percent rise in 2021 to a 2 percent increase in 2022 and no increase for FY23 and likely for the “foreseeable future,” said Scollins.
Scollins said the DPW is designing projects for new water mains on Randolph Street, Randolph Terrace, Pine Street, Bolivar Street and Turnpike Street from Randolph Street to the Stoughton town line and also needs funds for granular activated carbon system at the Moran water treatment plant. Scollins said many of the water mains are 100 years old, and Water-Sewer Rate member Dave Emhardt added that the new mains will improve water quality and water flow for Fire Department operations.
In other news from the June 7 meeting:
* The Select Board decided to pursue the possible construction of a public parking lot with 17 spaces on town-owned land at 25 Neponset Street and will look to acquire the adjacent property at 27 Neponset Street. In addition, the board agreed with member Lisa Lopez’s suggestion to highlight additional downtown parking lots that the public may not be familiar with and encourage downtown business owners to open their lots after hours. For now, the board opted not to auction off the property at 25 Neponset Street, fearing a developer will use the property for other uses …
See this week’s Citizen for more highlights from the May 26 School Committee meeting. Spring Subscriber Promo: $30 for 1 year or $50 for 2 years for new in-town subscribers. Click here to order your subscription today!
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Posted by Mike Berger
on Jun 10 2022. Filed under News, Town Government.
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