Water bills frozen, but sewer rate hike okayed for next year
Published on June 13th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - While water rates would remain frozen next year, the town’s Water and Sewer Advisory Board recommended that Town Administrator David Ragucci hike sewer costs by sixty cents this Tuesday.
Based upon the unanimous vote in favor of the change, local residents would pay $7.20 for every 100 cubic feet of water flushed into the system. The cost of having water piped into local homes would remain fixed next year at $3.40 for the same unit of measure.
According to figures provided by DPW Director Robert Grover, the average family of three in Stoneham uses approximately 70 gallons of water per day, meaning that 10,000 cubic feet is coming in and out of the residence on an annual basis.
If the new rates were accepted by the Town Administrator, that would translate into an average $60 increase in water and sewer bills for the average family of three.
A break down of the estimates, as provided by the DPW director, are as follows:
Consumption Current Bill New Bill
6,000 Cu. Ft. $600 $636
8,000 Cu. Ft. $800 $848
10,000 Cu. Ft. $1,000 $1060
12,000 Cu. Ft $1,200 $1272
According to Grover, the increase in sewer rates was largely due to MWRA assessments, which are expected to jump by $150,000 in FY’08.
Overall, Stoneham’s sewer costs, which include DPW department personnel, capital debt, and indirect expenses billed to other town departments, will rise by over $250,000 next year.
Pointing to the court ordered cleanup of Boston Harbor as the driving force behind soaring MWRA assessments, Water and Sewer Advisory Board Chair Therese DiBlasi argued that the state legislators needed to provide some relief to local communities.
Since 1988, sewer costs have soared nearly 440 percent from $1.64 per cubic foot to the current recommended rate of $7.20. During that same time period, water rates have increased from $1.17 per cubic foot to the current $3.40 charge.
“We’re at their [MWRA’s] mercy, where we’re just one of 43 communities. These 43 communities have been bearing this burden for so long, and I don’t think it’s fair,” said DiBlasi.
According to Grover, while there will be a somewhat significant increase in sewer rates, the cost for water service will remain stagnant this year, largely because the town has opted to take advantage of an interest free loan from the MWRA for capital improvements.
In addition, the DPW Director explained that the MWRA has finally recognized past over billing to Stoneham by reducing the assessment for the service this year.
At the same time, Grover cautioned that the advisory board will have to closely monitor water consumption during the summer months, as high usage may have to lead to an adjustment of the rates.
“It’s a ten year program. So what we did to hold down rates this year is borrowed,” said Grover of the loans. That’s the strategy the town decided to accept [at Town Meeting]. Next year’s maturing debt will be $136,080.”
“One thing we’ll have to look at is the consumption this summer. We may have to increase these rates,” warned the DPW Director, who successfully lobbied the group to revisit the charges this September.
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