LIVERMORE FALLS — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday voted to increase the town’s 2017 sewer rates by 19.38 percent to cover a shortfall in the Sewer Department.
Before taking a vote at their regular meeting, selectmen, who also serve as sewer trustees, held a public hearing regarding the rate increase. At the 2016 rate of $60 per unit and .0516 cents per cubic foot of water use, the town took in $319,402.63 for the year.
The expenses for 2016 are $377,066.57. The 2016 projected deficit is $57,663.94.
The new rate is $65 per unit and .0616 cents per cubic foot. It means an additional $63,771.60 annually.
The rate increase takes effect in April when bills are sent out to customers. There are 724 customers.
“Even this increase, it doesn’t give us much wiggle room,” Selectman Ron Chadwick said. “There’s going to be some tremendous expenses in the future.”
Chairperson Louise Chabot admitted that she didn’t like raising the rates, but something has to be done for the town to meet its expenses.
Resident Guy Palmieri asked if residents could help by paying their sewer bills farther in advance of the due date.
“It would help with cash flow,” Town Manager Kristal Flagg said.
Resident Jeffrey Roy asked if there was anything residents could do to consume less water and lower their bills.
“I think new appliances would help,” Flagg said.
Sewer Department Superintendent Greg Given said many of the sewer pipes are old and need to be replaced soon.
“Right now, you’re paying for a lot of groundwater with all these lines that are separating and collapsing,” he said.
“I know we have to balance the budget, but if people can’t pay what they’re charged, how do you think they’ll pay an increase?” Roy asked.
Resident Melissa Crocker reminded the board that if people lose their homes because of the big increase in sewer rates, the town won’t have the income it needs to pay for sewer plant repairs — or its bills.
“Like we said, this does nothing to alleviate the problems we may encounter in the future,” Chabot said.
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