Officials furious over water, sewer rate hikes

Emotions were high at the Select Board’s July 25 meeting as representatives from the Department of Public Works unveiled the latest sewer and water rate increases — something officials were unaware had already taken effect.

The rates, which were approved by the Board of Public Works during an early morning meeting in late June, will increase by 4% for water and 9% for sewer. 

Commercial properties do not have to pay a water rate, but like residents, businesses will also see a 9% increase to their sewer rates, according to Superintendent of Water and Sewer Steve Sullivan.

“That’s one hell of an increase,” said Select Board Vice Chair Stanley Mickelson.

Fellow board member Heidi Brooks agreed, calling the price hike “ridiculous.”

Throughout the past ten years, Interim Director of Public Works Director Tim Barber noted, the rates had increased each year by 3% for water and 2% for sewer. The only time there was a 4% increase for water rates was in fiscal year 2017.

The reason for such a significant hike, he said, is due to increased costs of doing business along with a decrease in revenue due to the pandemic.

“A lot of the large users [are] offline,” he said.

It was when Barber revealed that the rates were already in effect that officials began to cry foul.

“If the rates are approved then why are they coming to us for discussion?” Select Board member Shawn McDonald asked. “The time for that discussion is before the rates go into effect, not after.”

McDonald took particular exception to the fact the unelected Board of Public Works made such a significant decision “in a vacuum.” 

“It’s stuff like this that gets my goat,” he said. “All I’m looking for [are] answers and people to explain what they have and to make sure the taxpayer is protected in this town.”

According to Barber, while the Board of Public Works did make that decision, it was one which it was not happy to make.

“They might not have been happy, but they voted for it,” McDonald said. 

Select Board Chair David Tatelbaum echoed his colleagues’ sentiments. 

“They can raise it 15%, but they needed to come to us two months ago and say here’s why we’re going to do it,” he said.

McDonald called on the Board of Public Works to attend the Select Board’s upcoming meeting on Aug. 8. to explain their decision. He also suggested that the Select Board review the town charter to see how the appointed board “works in a vacuum.”

“It’s time to change it,” he said.