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Litchfield WPCA approves FY27 budget, raises septage receiving rate to $0.095/gal
Summary
The Litchfield Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously May 13 to refer a $1,249,328 FY27 operating budget to the Board of Selectmen and to raise the septage receiving rate from $0.09 to $0.095 per gallon effective July 1, 2026; both actions will be presented June 2.
The Litchfield Water Pollution Control Authority voted unanimously May 13 to refer its proposed FY27 operating budget of $1,249,328 to the Board of Selectmen for a public presentation on June 2, and approved a septage receiving rate increase from $0.09 to $0.095 per gallon effective July 1, 2026.
Plant Superintendent Terrence Donoghue presented the budget, which represents a 2.24% decrease from the current fiscal year and assumes no change to the existing EDU rate structure. Donoghue and Chair Chris Levesque said revenue projections can vary with water consumption and new connection fees, which flow into Fund 66.
The commission discussed current collections: Public Works Director Raz Alexe calculated a year‑to‑date collection rate of approximately 88% against a budgeted target of 97%, with about $153,500 outstanding and six weeks remaining in FY26. Levesque noted a new state marshal enforcement process effective July 1 could enable collection on an estimated $315,000–$350,000 in historical accounts, with marshal fees charged to delinquent account holders.
On septage receiving, Levesque and Donoghue recommended increasing the rate to align with Torrington’s anticipated FY27 rate. Commissioner Bill Buckley said the town should match Torrington’s rate "rather than exceeding or undercutting it, to avoid overloading the plant or losing haulers to competing facilities." The commission agreed to set the rate at $0.095 per gallon and to include the change in the Board of Selectmen presentation and a subsequent public hearing.
Both motions—referral of the FY27 budget and the septage rate increase—were moved and seconded and carried with all present members voting "aye." The commission consists of Chair Chris Levesque, Bill Buckley, Kate Honan, Keith Shortsleeve, Public Works Director Raz Alexe, and Plant Superintendent Terrence Donoghue; BOS liaison John Bongiorno was absent.
The budget and septage rate change will be presented to the Board of Selectmen on June 2, with the septage rate scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, pending the public hearing.
