LIVERMORE FALLS – Sewer Department trustees voted Monday to raise the sewer rate an additional 10 percent on top of a 10 percent increase that went into effect Jan. 1.

When sewer users get their bills in April they will see a 20 percent increase instead of 10 percent.

Trustees increased the base rate of $45 per quarter to $50 as of Jan. 1. That was not raised Monday.

The additional 10 percent was added to the consumption rate.

So instead of going from 2¾ cents to 3 cents per cubic foot or 7½ gallons as approved effective Jan. 1, the consumption rate will go from 2¾ cents to 3½ cents.

The total increase is expected to bring in $63,908 more than last year, Sewer Department clerk Sue Sapiel said.

“Expenses are higher than the income,” trustee Louise Chabot said.

The department has been operating at a loss since 2004, she said.

Town buildings on the sewer system will also pay the increase. That will equal about $1,932, Sapiel said.

The department is funded by users and not through taxes, trustee Bill Demaray said.

“So the town should not get a free ride,” he said.

Sapiel said the department was in the red about $67,000.

She paid the bills using savings, leaving about $32,000 in that account, Sapiel said.

Trustees plan to look at the revenue in six months to see how things are going.