BETHEL – Users of the town’s septic and sewer systems may soon see a significant increase in their rates. Selectmen agreed Monday to hold a public hearing July 10 to discuss a 7.5 percent rate hike before taking final action on the wastewater treatment plant’s budget for fiscal year 2007.
If the budget is approved after the July 10 hearing, sewer rates for the 485 residential and commercial customers will go from $6.70 per 100 cubic feet to $7.20. Septic rates will increase 20 percent from 10 cents to 12 cents per gallon. With a minimum charge based on 1,500 cubic feet, customers can expect to see at least a $7.50 increase in their quarterly bills.
In Norway, sewer rates are $1.92 per 100 cubic feet. Paris has a minimum payment of $73.43 for the first 1,200 cubic feet and $2.24 for each 100 cubic feet thereafter.
The proposed budget for the fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007, includes a total expenditure of $409,136, a 3 percent decrease from fiscal year 2006. Operating expenses, however, are expected to increase by 9.7 percent, or $25,147. This is due in part to a projected increase of $18,000 in treatment plant electricity costs and a budgeted 5.3 percent raise in wages.
Treatment plant operator Robert Gundersen explained that the rate for three-phase electricity under the standard offer plan used by the plant increased significantly in January. Although the new power station on Bridge Street is using almost 50 percent less electricity than its predecessor, the treatment plant itself showed a “huge jump” in electricity costs.
In addition to this increase in expenditures, two plant employees have requested pay raises. Town Manager Scott Cole said, “Right now, the two hourlies at the plant are paid at the same rate as the four operators at the town garage.” Because of their training and licensing, though, “they feel they’re on a par with what the mechanic does at the town garage.”
Treatment plant workers are currently paid $13.10 per hour and want a raise of “about $1.25” per hour, Cole said.
Gundersen added that based on surveys done by the Maine Municipal Association, “We’re way on the low side” of the state’s average wage rate for municipal employees.
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