GREENFIELD — Following an announced increase in February, residents should expect another hike in their water and sewer rates in July, according to Director of Public Works Don Ouellette.
This possible rate increase of 5.5 percent could occur for both water and sewer rates in the city when the new billing cycle begins July 1, said Ouellette. The increases, if they occur, would be the third increase of both rates since January 2017, totaling an estimated 20 percent increase in water rates and 24 percent increase in sewer rates over an 18-month period.
According to Ouellette, the increases are not finalized, though he thinks “it will be in the 5.5 percent for both and that should stabilize (rates) for a while.”
Ouellette said that his department will formally analyze the need for increasing the rates in May. This could result in providing a rate increase proposal to Mayor William Martin’s office in June, as well as notifying City Council.
Ouellette said that he could not promise that there would not be additional increases in the future, but that with the anticipated increase the city’s rates will be where he believes they should be, particularly sewer rates.
“I think that will be it for a while. If there are any (additional) raises then they will be minimal,” he said.
The rates, according to Ouellette, are still 25 to 35 percent below the state average, according to a 2017 Tighe and Bond water and sewer rate survey.
Ouellette said that the increases are what has needed to occur in the city. Increases were previously ignored, he said, because Greenfield had “retained earnings” which were off-setting the need for the increase.
However, Ouellette claimed that several projects had to be completed that became a part of the capital budget and have created debt. These include $1.2 million toward two pump stations and $200,000 a year on inflow and infiltration, which is, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, when ground and storm water enter municipal collection systems and reduces water treatment plant efficiency.
In addition, Ouellette said that the city will be having additional projects to pay for, including repairs of the Leyden Woods pump station, which is expected to cost about $550,000 and has to be done this year, and water and sewer main replacement programs, which could cost an estimated $2 million over the next five years combined.
The increase, if approved, would raise the water rate to $3.21 per hundred cubic feet (hcf), and the sewer rate to $5.25 per hcf, if based off the last provided rates of $3.06 per hcf for water and $5 per hcf for sewer.
The total percentage increase of the rates since January 2017, if the increase is approved, would equal roughly 20 percent rate increase for water and 24 percent rate increase for sewer. Before the January 2017 increase, rates were $2.67 per hcf for water and $4.22 per hcf for sewer.
You can reach Dan Desrochers at: ddesrochers@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ext. 257