HATFIELD — Bills for use of water and sewer will go up this year following the Select Board’s approval of recommended 5 % rate adjustments.
The board this week voted unanimously to support the increases to the water and sewer rates, recommended in a Water & Sewer Rate Study completed in January 2020 by DPC Engineering LLC of Longmeadow.
The rate changes are needed to move forward with improvements to both systems and to cover annual operating expenses.
The decision also sets the stage for pursuing a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that DPC President David Prickett told the board could be considered by voters at next spring’s annual Town Meeting. There, officials would seek support to authorize funding for what could be a $12 million or more upgrade of the sewer plant.
The average household connected to both systems would pay $51 more annually, or another $2.40 per month for sewer and an added $1.85 per month for water.
Board member Edmund Jaworski said he is sensitive to making the adjustments, but that all taxpayers are covering costs of the systems and that the grants are needed.
“This ties us into getting USDA grants,” Jaworski said.
Two residents offered comments at the board’s meeting.
“There is tremendous deferred maintenance in this town, and so it is time to address it,” said E. Lary Grossman.
Mike Cahill, though, said he feels for senior citizens and others on fixed incomes who will have to pay more.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
