Board votes on water rates
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Shrewsbury - The Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen has approved an increase in town water rates to become eff ective May 1.

Residential and condominium rates will increase to from $16.50 to $19 for the first 5,000 gallons.

Between 5,001 to 25,000 gallons will increase from $2.85 to $3.20 per 1,000; 25,001 to 50,000 will increase from $5.20 to $6; and over 50,000 gallons will increase from $6.35 to $7.75.

Commercial rates will increase from $27.50 to $32.50 for the first 5,000 gallons; 5,001 to 50,000 will increase to $2.50 from $2.10; over 50,000 will increase from $2.80 to $3.50.

The board had initially discussed increasing water rates during an April 14 public hearing, but decided to continue the hearing after residents questioned the discrepancy between commercial and residential rates.

The selectmen requested that Town Manager Daniel Morgado run some numbers to determine how adopting a single rate would impact businesses prior to their April 28 meeting.

Once presented with the information, the board decided that a single rate would have too large of an impact on area businesses' water bills.

"This would do serious harm to commercial water users, particularly the heavy ones," Selectman James McCaff rey said. "To adopt the same rate strictly for the purposes of equity is not a sufficient enough reason in my mind to penalize existing businesses so heavily."

About 12 percent of Shrewsbury businesses account for 75 percent of all water sold in town. These businesses would see a 218 percent increase in their bills if the board implemented a single rate, as compared to the 15 percent increase that residential users will see.

The board unanimously agreed to keep the separate rates, saying it provides an incentive for much-needed businesses to move into Shrewsbury.

The increase in the water rate will help fund repairs to the town's water system as well as pay debt on past improvement and extension projects.