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Uxbridge proposes modest sewer increases, debates charging septage by measured gallons to boost revenue
Summary
Consultants recommended 2% annual sewer rate increases while the board debated moving septage billing from an 80% tanker assumption to measured gallons; switching to measured billing could raise septage revenue but commissioners asked for competitive rate data and warned of cost shifts to sewer ratepayers.
Town consultants recommended a relatively modest sewer rate plan while flagging a revenue opportunity in septage billing.
Ty and Bond presented sewer forecasts that assume smaller capital needs than water and recommend roughly 2% annual sewer increases from FY26 onward to maintain approximately three months of operating retained earnings. The sewer capital list is smaller but includes a notable $2.7 million roof replacement at the wastewater treatment plant (debt‑funded, FY29), which the consultant flagged as a driver of later rate pressure.
The meeting included a detailed discussion of septage billing. Historically, the town has billed haulers at 80% of a tanker’s capacity for billing purposes; a flow meter installed at the treatment plant (installed FY20) now records actual volumes. Changing billing to measured gallons would increase projected septage revenue (the model showed a jump from ~$745,000 to ~$1,000,000), but consultants tested a compromise: adopting measured billing while lowering the per‑gallon charge by 15% to remain competitive with neighboring acceptors, yielding modeled revenue of about $855,000.
"When we finally got the system up and running with the flow meter, ... we were leaving a lot on the table," Ben Sherman, Director of Public Works, said when describing the town’s updated septage accounting and revenue potential. Commissioners were concerned about driving haulers to out‑of‑town facilities and asked staff to provide a table of competitor rates (Upper Blackstone and others) so the board can choose a per‑gallon charge that balances competitiveness with enterprise revenue.
Consultants noted the tradeoff: a 15% reduction in septage per‑gallon fees (to attract/retain haulers) would, in the consultants’ model, add roughly 2% to annual rates borne by other sewer customers. Commissioners asked staff to return with competitor comparisons and with scenarios that show the effect on sewer retained earnings and typical household bills.
What’s next: Staff will provide competitor septage fee data and revised septage scenarios ahead of the continued hearing so commissioners can decide whether to move to measured billing and what per‑gallon charge — if any — to apply.
