NORTHAMPTON — A week after Mayor David J. Narkewicz fielded objections from business and property owners on increases to water and sewer rates, city councilors voted overwhelmingly in favor of the changes Thursday.
The measure passed 7-1, with Councilor Jesse Adams casting the lone dissenting vote. Adams questioned the legality of the vote and said he did not agree that the rate restructuring would promote equality.
“I’m not opposing it because of the process,” Adams said before the vote. “I’m opposing it because I don’t think it’s in the best interest of Northampton.”
Adams said the city hadn’t done enough to analyze the potential impacts of the proposal.
“I don’t think we did everything we could to figure out the impacts and now we’re going to figure out the hard way,” Adams said, voicing concerns for businesses.
Finance Director Susan Wright spoke during the meeting on current revenues and expenditures, which she said are encouraging. Revenues from meals and hotel taxes, she said, are up 12 percent and 18 percent, respectively, from this time last year.
“Those are the type of indicators I look for,” Wright said.
Other councilors said the mayor did everything he could and that this move addresses critical infrastructural needs.
“The mayor listened,” said Ward 6 Councilor Marianne LaBarge. “He did listen this time. I think he’s well organized and I’m going to support this 100 percent.”
Ward 2 Councilor Dennis Bidwell said the changes are less than ideal, but they’re the best way forward.
“There’s no perfect solution,” Bidwell said, adding that he does have concerns about buildings with multiple tenants seeing higher rates, which could raise rents.
Ward 1 Councilor Maureen Carney and Council President William Dwight said the need for “heavy-duty infrastructure” improvements is in large part due to the larger users, who will see higher rates with the change.
“We’ve carried burden, there,” Dwight said. “We’ve picked up the tab.”
City Solicitor Alan Seewald spoke to Adams’ questions on the legality of the council taking a second vote on an order amended in between readings.
“I think it was perfectly within the right of this council to take this request from the mayor and act on it,” Seewald told councilors before the vote.
Residents praised Narkewicz in public comment for hearing concerns and making adjustments.
Emory Ford of Spring Street in Florence said Narkewicz has been sufficiently transparent in the process and that the infrastructural needs must be addressed.
“You kicked the can down the road and I think that’s unacceptable,” said Ford, adding that the delayed vote disappointed him.
Susanne Beck, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, thanked both the mayor and the council for the delay and for giving the city time to raise concerns.
“As it turned out the two-week delay that you were so gracious to extend was the right amount of time,” Beck said. “I’m pretty sure all the issues have been raised in this process.”
Marty Nathan of Massasoit Street voiced her support for the proposed rate changes.
“People who use water for profit are not the same as people who use water to drink,” said Nathan.
After the vote, Narkewicz said he’s happy with the outcome and proud of the process.
“I think at the end of the day we move forward with a better water and sewer rate structure that’s going to meet our important infrastructural needs over the next several years.”
The new fee structure, which takes effect July 1, distinguishes between smaller and larger customers, splitting smaller users into two tiers which Narkewicz said promotes conservation. Users with 1-inch water meters or smaller — 95 percent of the city’s customers — would pay a rate of $4.36 per 100 cubic feet for the first 1,600 cubic feet, and $5.82 per 100 cubic feet for use beyond that. Those with larger meters will pay a single rate of $5.72 per 100 cubic feet.
All customers will pay sewer rates of $7.52 per 100 cubic feet. Most users, who do not have separate sewer meters, will be charged based on 80 percent of water consumption. The proposed structure also significantly raises fixed fees — from $1 to $12.64 a quarter for the smallest users, up to $1,010 for the largest.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.