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Selectman urges stronger pushback on utility rate hikes; representative to visit on rural-town eligibility
Summary
A selectman criticized utility companies for repeated rate increases and unresolved infrastructure issues and noted Rep. Mark Sylvia will host a state rural-town program official in March to review Acushnet's eligibility for rural-town benefits.
During the Feb. 25 meeting a selectman raised concerns about rising utility delivery charges and local service problems, saying current fixes are inadequate and urging the town to press utilities for improvements.
The selectman argued that a DPU recommendation to reduce certain gas delivery fees by 5–10% was insufficient compared with recent increases and cited examples such as continuing double-pole issues from Verizon. "When it gets to the point where people can't afford electric and gas anymore ... if somebody's bills up a $100 year-over-year on delivery charges you do the math," the speaker said, noting the scale of delivery-charge impacts across the Commonwealth.
Separately, the board discussed efforts to pursue a 'rural town' designation. Representative Mark Sylvia has begun outreach and arranged for the state official who oversees the rural-towns program to tour Acushnet in March to evaluate whether the town meets eligibility criteria that could open grant and reimbursement opportunities.
Board members said they will share the date once scheduled and consider next steps to seek program benefits if Acushnet's qualifications are confirmed.
