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North Brookfield board approves combined water-and-sewer billing, schedules Jan. 7 informational hearing
Summary
The select board approved a plan to combine water and sewer bills, set an informational public hearing for Jan. 7 at the elementary school, and authorized mailing notices to customers on Jan. 8. Staff said combined bills will be sent in early–mid February; partial payments will be accepted but shutoff notices and fees will apply.
The Board of Selectmen on Dec. 16 approved a plan to combine town water and sewer bills and scheduled an informational session for Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. at the elementary school.
Town staff told the board the new combined bills are expected to go out in the “early to mid February time frame,” and any outstanding current balances will be included in those mailings. The board voted to post the notice of the Jan. 7 hearing and to mail explanatory letters to customers on Jan. 8.
Ron, who led the billing presentation, said partial payments will be accepted through demand and shutoff notices but that payment priorities will be applied: outstanding sewer balances will be paid before outstanding water balances, followed by current sewer and then current water charges. He said the town will add a $30 demand fee and a $30 shutoff fee during the shutoff-notice phase. "There would be a $30 demand fee that would be added to that balance," Ron said when outlining the collection process.
Board members discussed timing concerns, noting the transition could compress billing cycles and create short-term cash-flow stress for some customers. The board agreed to extend due dates during the transition and to continue accepting partial payments, while urging robust public communication about the changes and options.
The board’s motion to approve the billing process, the public hearing date and the mailing plan passed by voice vote. The informational hearing will include town staff responsible for daily billing operations to answer residents' questions.
The next procedural step is the Jan. 7 informational session; the board will consider any substantive concerns raised there before the combined bills are mailed on Jan. 8 and sent in early–mid February.
