By Meredith McCulloch
“The recommended water and sewer rate increase for FY2018 at 1.2%, is the lowest since FY2013,” according to Finance Director Victor Garofalo. The recommendation and detailed analysis of costs were presented to the Selectman on July 17. Rates are based on projected costs of supplying water to residents. No increase in the irrigation rate for outdoor watering was recommended by Garofalo.
The Finance Director went on to compare Bedford’s rates, to other MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resource Authority)towns, “Based on an annual average users’ consumption 6,000 CF of usage, the annual water/sewer cost for these communities’ ranged from $551 – $1,332, with an average cost of $930. Bedford FY2017 annual cost for the same consumption was $682.”
The cost of municipal water is covered entirely by user rates. Eighty-five percent of Bedford’s water comes from the MWRA and is purchased through the Town of Lexington. The other 15% is supplied by 3 town-owned wells. MWRA water comes from the Quabbin Reservoir in western Massachusetts.
Garofalo also presented analysis of municipal water use by town buildings, each of which is metered separately. One anomaly was a major spike in use in the high school building starting in 2014. It is not clear what might have caused this, and the reason is being investigated by the Department of Public Works. A leak or faulty meter are among potential causes to be checked first.
A motion to approve the new rate schedule passed unanimously.
Editor’s Note, 07262017: this article was revised from the original to correct an error.
Loading ...
