By Keith Regan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – A recently completed study of Northborough’s water and sewer rates shows a need to increase the amount the town’s sewer enterprise fund collects in order to pay for costs associated with improvements to the Marlborough Wastewater Treatment plant.
Department of Public Works Director Dan Nason told selectmen July 20 that a review of rates performed by Woodcock and Associates, Inc., recommends no water rate increase this year, but suggests the town boost sewer rates by 20 percent this year, with similar increases to follow in “subsequent years.”
The Water and Sewer Commission will hold a public hearing on the rate changes Tuesday, Aug. 18. If approved, the new rates would take effect in time to be included in the second quarter bills taxpayers will receive in November.
Chris Woodcock, who performed the rate study, said in his experience the town’s situation with Marlborough is unique. The city is paying for upgrades made to its wastewater treatment plant but has yet to receive an environmental permit for the work and has not yet set out to recover Northborough’s portion of the cost of the $30 million worth of work.
“I’ve never seen anything like what’s going on with Marlborough,” he said. “The fact that this is still not resolved after so long is very unusual and makes it really difficult to project.”
However, the town has put itself in the best position possible, building up a $2 million reserve in the sewer enterprise fund that will help cushion any blow to the fund when the Marlborough bill finally comes due.
“And it will come due at some point,” he added.
In all, taxpayers may face “three to four years” of 20-percent rate increases in order to pay for the Marlborough plant improvements and to restore some level of reserve funding.
Town Administrator John Coderre noted that the town has long known of the looming costs and that it would be difficult to calculate exactly what they will be. The town’s rates for using the plant are based on an inter-municipal agreement that is expired.
He also noted that what’s happening locally is being repeated in many cities and towns as both water and wastewater treatment systems are being brought into compliance with stricter environmental regulations.
“This is just a trend,” Coderre said. “Our goal and our job is to plan accordingly.”
Also at the July 20 meeting, selectmen named retired North Reading Fire Chief Richard Harris as the town’s interim fire chief, to serve until the ongoing search for a replacement for recently retired chief Richard Durgin is completed.
In addition, Coderre told selectmen that the state budget signed last week by Gov. Charlie Baker contains slightly better local aid figures than the town anticipated in its budgeting. The additional $122,000 will be put toward reducing the amount of property tax to be collected.