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Dartmouth officials warn residents of big sewer and water rate increases as biosolids costs rise
Summary
At a joint meeting with the Board of Public Works July 13, town staff recommended a $140 annual solid-waste smart fee and proposed 7.5% water and 16% sewer increases for FY27, driven largely by a projected $900,000 rise in biosolids disposal costs; the board tabled a final vote to allow more analysis.
Town officials on July 13 told Dartmouth residents to expect meaningful increases in utility fees this fiscal year as the town copes with rising operating and disposal costs.
Tim Barber, director of public works, told a joint Select Board–Board of Public Works meeting that the solid-waste smart program fee would rise from $120 to $140 for FY27 under staff recommendations, a $20 increase designed to smooth larger future spikes. “Going into FY27, we are raising the rate to $140,” Barber said, noting the rate covers curbside pickup, transfer-station access and brush/leaf disposal.
But the most dramatic pressure is on the sewer enterprise fund. Barber said the town has budgeted roughly $900,000 additional annual cost for biosolids handling after market and regulatory changes reversed what had been a small revenue stream for the town. “That is really the biggest driver of the 16% increase,” he said, describing a shift from selling treated biosolid compost to paying to haul and dispose of dehydrated sludge because buyers are refusing material amid PFAS concerns.
Finance director Gary Carrara warned that state rules make it risky to run prolonged deficits in enterprise funds. “Under [state] law, we’re not allowed to run deficits in enterprise funds,” Carrara said, urging the board to consider larger increases to build reserves and fund capital needs. Staff ran projections showing a $20 increase leaves the solid-waste fund near a projected FY27 deficit; a bigger increase (about $30) would forestall near-term shortfalls and help preserve retained earnings needed for future vehicle replacements.
Board members and staff discussed fleet replacement and the costs of electrification—Barber said a modern diesel recycling or solid-waste vehicle runs in the $450,000 range and an electric alternative can approach $1 million for a vehicle plus substantially greater charging‑infrastructure costs. That calculation informed the recommendation to build larger capital reserves.
Given remaining uncertainties (including the Town’s purchased-water charges from New Bedford and assumptions about biosolids contracts), the board voted to table a final rate decision and asked staff to return with refined multi‑year forecasts at the next meeting in August.
Next steps: staff will refine analyses, model debt-service scenarios for major capital needs, and supply a proposed final rate schedule for the board to consider in August. If approved later, the increases will be reflected in FY27 billing cycles and notices to customers.
