The Select Board voted to schedule a public hearing on July 9 for a proposed, tiered sewer-rate structure designed to stabilize revenue and encourage conservation.

Finance Director Brian presented a five-tier rate proposal that would (per the materials) generate about $10.5 million in sewer rate revenue for fiscal 2026 — a roughly 25% increase needed to meet the budget. Under the plan the monthly base (tier 1) would rise to $50 and include up to 2 cubic feet (about 1,500 gallons) of usage; higher tiers would be billed at stepped per-unit rates. The board voted to set a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposal and directed staff to refine modeling (members also requested a four-tier comparison before the hearing).

Brian and consulting staff (Hazen & Sawyer was cited) described the reasons for changing the structure: the town currently has separate winter and summer per-unit rates on top of a $36 monthly base; the proposed approach merges seasonal rates and moves more revenue onto a stable monthly base while assigning higher per-unit costs to heavy users. The five-tier rate schedule presented in the packet would set: tier 1 base $50 (includes up to 2 ccf), tier 2 (2–6 ccf) at $8.80 per ccf, tier 3 (6–9 ccf) at $11.10 per ccf, tier 4 (9–20 ccf) at $14.00 per ccf, and tier 5 (>20 ccf) at $17.60 per ccf. The finance team reported that an average residential customer’s change averaged to about $3.64 per month when spread over 12 months; higher-usage customers would see larger increases.

Officials said the model aims to give more predictable revenue for the sewer enterprise and to better align costs with peak treatment and capacity impacts. The presentation noted that the largest users in tiers 4 and 5 are largely restaurants and lodging businesses; staff also said some single-family homes that irrigate extensively can fall into higher tiers. Brian acknowledged the board’s request to model a four-tier alternative for comparison ahead of the hearing.

The board voted to schedule the hearing for July 9 and to continue refining the analysis. The vote to schedule a public hearing passed on a roll call; board members voting aye included Brooke, Tom and Malcolm and the chair. Staff told the board the new rates would take effect with the first billing in August if the board and public process move forward and the board adopts final rates following the hearing and required notices.

What’s next: staff will provide a four-tier comparator as requested by board members; the public hearing will be advertised ahead of the scheduled July 9 date per statutory notice requirements. The board will accept public comment at that hearing and may adopt the final rate schedule afterward.