Town staff told the Board of Selectmen they plan to propose increasing both the base rate and usage charges for water and sewer accounts by about 10% to build reserves for repairs and regulatory compliance.

Selectman TJ explained the increase would help the water and sewer funds absorb higher repair costs, noting some parts and repairs (valves, caps) and chemicals have seen large price increases. The board was briefed on recent repair examples, including a Door Street main break and higher costs to replace pump-station electrical components.

Officials said the water and sewer enterprise funds must be self-funded under state rules and cannot be subsidized by general taxation. Selectmen and staff emphasized the need to create a reserve because DES is expected to require closure or major changes to lagoons by about 2030; closing lagoons would remove a significant source of septage-hauler revenue that currently helps offset costs. Presenters said a municipal sewage treatment plant would likely be cost-prohibitive for a system of this size and that competitive grants favor larger communities.

Board members discussed public notice and process. Staff clarified that while some fee changes require a public hearing, certain user-rate adjustments can be adopted at a selectmen’s meeting; nevertheless, staff said the board would open the discussion to users and schedule a public-focused meeting. Officials also raised the prospect of analyzing longer-term options such as trust funds and staged rate increases to smooth impacts on users.

No formal vote was taken; the board signaled a willingness to notify users and schedule the fee discussion for a future meeting.