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Alton schedules April 14 public hearing after water department proposes sharp rate increases
Summary
The water superintendent told the selectmen the town’s water rates — unchanged since 2020 — need to rise to address aging infrastructure and to begin capital reserves; staff proposed about a 30% increase in 2026 and multi‑year increases through 2029. The board set a public hearing for April 14, 2026 at 6:05 p.m.
Alton — The Board of Selectmen on March 18 set a public hearing for April 14 at 6:05 p.m. to consider proposed water‑rate adjustments for 2026–2029 after the water superintendent told the board revenues have not kept pace with costs.
The water superintendent told the board, "The rates have not changed since 2020," and said inflation, higher chemical and energy costs, and aging infrastructure have left the system overextended. He said the consultant‑developed proposal would include a significant first‑year increase — he cited roughly a 30% raise — with additional adjustments in later years to begin building capital reserves for tanks, pump stations and generator upgrades.
The superintendent said the rate proposal is intended to shift money into capital reserves rather than simply cover day‑to‑day operations: "It's really not for my day‑to‑day operations as much as it's for the capital reserves," he said. He also described progress on the municipal meter‑and‑radio replacement program (MEA): about 300 new meters/radios have been installed, reducing meter‑reading time from more than a week to about two days.
Board members asked for clear examples of how the changes would affect an average household and urged the department to include model bills and conservation guidance at the public hearing. The board amended the motion to specify the hearing date and time; the motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps: the water department will prepare typical residential bill examples and bring full rate schedules and supporting materials to the April 14 public hearing.
