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Public works outlines water‑rate options as board weighs $11.5M capital need
Summary
Public works director Tim Olsen presented rate scenarios and a five‑year $11.5 million capital plan for water infrastructure; the board asked staff for clearer public materials and scheduled further consideration before an expected vote in March or April.
Hamilton's director of public works, Tim Olsen, briefed the select board on water‑rate options intended to fund aging infrastructure and build retained earnings for near‑term capital projects.
Olsen said he sampled roughly 100 two‑person households and estimated an average of about 10,000 gallons per quarter. He showed a scenario that would raise the low‑tier threshold from 5,000 to 10,000 gallons and estimated that change would save an average household about $12 per quarter, or roughly $50 a year. "By adjusting it from 5,000 to 10,000, it seemed like it was a savings, per quarter of about $12 and about $50 for the year," Olsen told the board.
Town finance staff and board members outlined a larger capital picture: an estimated $11.5 million of water projects are projected over the next five to eight years, with about $8.5 million of principal remaining from prior borrowing. Staff said retained earnings are roughly $1.0–1.2 million and that building those reserves could reduce future borrowing needs; at current revenues it could take about two years to build retained earnings sufficient for a single mid‑sized project.
Board members requested clearer public outreach materials — an information sheet to appear with water bills and a public forum similar to a 2019 water presentation — so residents understand the projects (tank replacement, pipe work, pump upgrades) and the rationale behind any rate adjustments. The board expects Olsen to return with refined scenarios and a recommended timeline for a vote, aiming for enough lead time for any changes to appear on the August utility billing cycle.
