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Selectboard hears plan to move water and sewer to usage-based billing; town reviews tax-deeded property options and insurance cost rise
Summary
Selectboard members heard that billing formulas will change to usage-based water and sewer rates as Avitar software is updated; the board also discussed options for 2024 tax-deeded properties (asbestos testing pending) and noted employee health insurance costs will rise next year because the plan now covers families.
Clayton told the Selectboard he has been working with Suzanne and Avitar on updates to ordinances and the billing formula so that sewer charges move from a flat fee to a usage-based rate alongside water. He said the town's new Water/Sewer Manager, Brian Hays, is involved in the transition and cautioned that the ordinance will require further refinement to function properly.
Suzanne told the board the town is reviewing properties tax-deeded in 2024 and must decide whether to demolish or sell them as-is; the board agreed to delay decisions while asbestos-testing quotes and additional review are obtained. She also reported that employee health-insurance costs are increasing because the town's plan now covers families in addition to individuals; that change will need to be accounted for in next year's budget. Separately, Suzanne noted recent increases in investment rates have raised town income.
Board members did not vote on ordinance language at the Sept. 8 meeting but agreed to continue ordinance work and to schedule further review. No dollar amounts or firm timelines for ordinance adoption, property disposition, or budget changes were provided in the meeting record.
