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Date: 10/13/2021
HATFIELD – Sewer and water rates will bump upward if the Selectboard votes as the superintendents of both utilities suggest. The increase will only be a fraction of the 25 percent increase the sewer rate saw last year.
“Last year we had to make the big leap, to qualify for the grants,” said Eric Meals, superintendent of the Sewer Department. “Now we’re just trying to keep it in line with where it needs to be. We need to show USDA we’re paying our portion of the bill. We have to show them we’re at at least 1 percent of median income.”
Meals referred to the spike in sewer rates last year. The big increase put Hatfield’s taxpayers at a rate of about 1 percent of median income, according to Meals, and that made the Town eligible for grants to subsidize sewer upgrades. This year the proposed increase is 5 percent.
According to the department’s website, the increase will raise the rate from $8.89 to $9.34, but increase the average bill by only $2.40 per month. The increase will pay for $6 million in water main replacement and construction, and upgrades to the Omasta well. The proposed increase in water rates will also be 5 percent, if approved by a vote of the Select Board. According to the department’s website, the water rate will rise from its current $4.67 to $4.91. That will increase the average water bill for ratepayers by $1.85 per month.
“For quite a few years we’ve done a normal 2 percent increase, both water and sewer,” said Tony Lastowski, Water Department superintendent for Hatfield. “Last fiscal year we did a 25 percent sewer increase and 5 percent on water. It’s trying to get us close to our goal of being self sufficient, and to have a rainy day fund, and a fund to cover emergencies.”
Lastowski explained that the Water Department is minimally funded by the tax levy. Rather, the department is an enterprise fund, similar to a small business run within town government.
“It’s like there’s a separate checking account for us,” Lastowski said. Of the proposed 5 percent increase, he said, “This is more operating expenses and replacing aging equipment, as needed…This is just a normal increase. We see it everywhere, the gas station, the grocery store, so when you don’t raise the rates it’s a problem.”
The Select Board hosted an information session for residents at its Sept. 28 meeting. A second discussion was included in the Oct. 6 meeting. The board is scheduled to vote on utility rates at its next regular meeting.