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Red Hook Water Board to present minimum charge increase to $70 in third quarter 2026; further rise planned for 2027
Summary
At a March 26 special meeting the Town of Red Hook Water Board agreed to present proposed minimum water-charge increases — from $57.33 to $70 in Q3 2026 and to $80 in Q3 2027 — and reviewed preliminary 2026 expense estimates of roughly $100,000-plus; available cash was listed at $224,000.
The Town of Red Hook Water Board discussed and agreed to present phased increases to the system's minimum water charge, with board members indicating an increase from the current $57.33 to $70 beginning in the third quarter of 2026 and a planned additional increase to $80 in the third quarter of 2027. Board members said they would frame the change "in dollar terms" and prepare example bills for public announcement.
At the special meeting, the board also reviewed preliminary 2026 expense estimates. Line items included communications-system work (Smith Control listed at $20,000; Tighe & Bond listed as approximately $5,000), a planned well rehabilitation with an estimated $30,000 (pump and motor ~$20,000; Tighe & Bond ~$10,000), right-of-way clearing (~$10,000), and a set of potential tank-related costs that were not specified in the meeting notes. The minutes list a rough total of about $100,000 or more but mark several figures as estimates or unknown.
Board members noted available cash of $224,000 and indicated that the balance is expected to increase during 2026; they discussed whether to add to reserves but did not record a formal vote or directive on reserve policy. The minutes record that the board generally agreed to present the rate increases to the public but do not show a formal motion or vote adopting the rates at this meeting.
Procedural business included approval of the March 4 minutes on a motion by Water Board Member Greg Fildes, seconded by Larry Carr. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM on a motion by Chair Hank Van Parys, seconded by Greg Fildes.
The expense figures discussed at the meeting were largely provisional; several line items and totals were flagged as estimates or left unspecified in the minutes. The board identified Smith Control, Tighe & Bond and an unnamed contractor for well and tank work in the discussion, and briefly compared the proposed increases with a cited $1,300 yearly assessment in Tivoli for context. Further public notice or a subsequent meeting is expected before any rate change takes effect.
