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Stratford WPCA adopts sewer rate increase to cover shortfall and debt service
Summary
On May 30 the Town of Stratford WPCA approved a rate change—establishing the residential charge at $569.39 per year and a commercial rate of $7.13 per 100 cubic yards—to cover a $700,000 sludge/utilities shortfall and debt service for $14.5 million in approved infrastructure projects; the vote was unanimous.
The Town of Stratford Water Pollution Control Authority voted May 30 to adopt new sewer charges for the coming fiscal year, citing a $700,000 shortfall in sludge and utilities and the need to fund repayment for previously approved infrastructure projects.
A board motion set the new residential charge at $569.39 per year and the commercial rate at $7.13 per 100 cubic yards (as recorded in the motion). Speaker 5 — who presented the financial rationale — said the increase ‘‘will cover a current shortfall in the sludge slash utilities line of $700,000’’ and will also help repay ‘‘previously approved infrastructure investment for critical infrastructure projects … at a value of $14,500,000’’ with an ‘‘estimated annual cost to repay those projects [of] about $1,450,000.’’
Speaker 5 told the board the WPCA fund balance is below DEEP/DEP recommended levels and noted the town has faced an unexpected rise in sludge disposal costs from Synagro that previously came out of reserves. ‘‘The number they budgeted for wasn't enough by, you know, half a million dollars,’’ speaker 5 said, describing a recent contract increase from Synagro that affected multiple towns.
Board members asked questions before the vote. Miss Gibson asked whether the protection work around the treatment plant would affect nearby Fresh Ponds or Elm Street homes; town engineer John Casey said the plant protection ‘‘would have a negligible impact outside of the plant’’ and noted nearby wetlands can produce organic odors. Mister O'Neil asked about the consequences of delaying the increase; staff responded that future grants, lower bond interest or Clean Water Fund assistance could change future rates but that delaying would risk managing from a deficit and DEEP expectations regarding PFAS funding.
Speaker 5 said the rate notice will appear in a press release and in mailed bills to every ratepayer, and that any future grants would reduce the amount the town must bond and return to the board for approval. The board voted unanimously to adopt the rate changes; speaker 5 clarified the increase corresponds with the updated budget sheets that will be reflected in the overall town budget.
