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Dartmouth staff recommend 7.5% water and about 15% sewer rate increases; board tables vote for July joint meeting
Summary
Town staff proposed a 7.5% water-rate increase and a roughly 15% sewer-rate increase for FY2027, citing rising costs and bio-solids disposal expected to cost about $100,000 monthly; the Board of Public Works agreed to a joint review with the Select Board on July 13 and tabled formal action pending that meeting.
Town staff presented proposed water and sewer rate adjustments for fiscal 2027 at the Dartmouth Board of Public Works meeting on June 23, saying rising operating costs and bio‑solids disposal are driving the need for higher charges. Tim, the superintendent of public works, described a staff recommendation of a 7.5% increase in water rates and a roughly 15% increase in sewer rates.
Finance Director Gary Carrero told the board the water enterprise fund is in good shape but that modest rate increases build capacity for future borrowing. "With a recommended 7.5% increase this year, we start to build a little bit of capacity," Gary said, adding that measured increases reduce the likelihood of future large spikes. He said water expenses rose about 9.7% and town overhead increased substantially.
Gary and Tim emphasized that sewer costs are being driven in part by bio‑solids management. "We're anticipating that it's going to cost us upwards of $100,000 a month," Gary said, noting the department budgeted for a projected $900,000 increase related to bio‑solids this year. He cautioned that even a 16% sewer increase may not fully build debt capacity similar to water.
Board members pressed for more detail and broader engagement. Mr. Gier urged that the board present the capital plan and wastewater capacity reports to the Select Board so the public sees the context behind rate recommendations. The chair and others requested fuller background materials be distributed in advance to enable informed public discussion.
Rather than vote, the board agreed to hold a joint meeting with the Select Board on July 13 to review analyses, capital plans and the comprehensive wastewater management plan before setting rates. The board made a motion to table formal action on the FY2027 rates pending that joint meeting; the motion passed with recorded votes of Mr. Gier and the chair.
Next steps: staff will prepare expanded materials (including the capacity assessment and cost drivers for bio‑solids) for the July 13 joint meeting with the Select Board and will deliver them to Board of Public Works members in advance for review.
