Hull Sewer Commission raises base charge to $40, sets consumption rate at $19.48

The Hull Sewer Commission voted unanimously to increase the monthly base sewer charge from $30 to $40 and to set the consumption rate at $19.48 per 100 cubic feet for fiscal year 2027.

Chair (speaker S1) framed the move as a precaution to build retained earnings required by state law and to prepare for higher debt-service obligations expected after two recently approved State Revolving Fund loans. “approving that base rate change from $30 to $40 a month,” the chair said when calling the motion.

The commission recorded the town’s FY27 total revenue requirement at about $7,000,173.98 and projected that the proposed rate structure would generate roughly $8,000,004.83 in revenue, creating room to meet the 15% retained-earnings requirement and to smooth the impact of upcoming debt-service increases. Commissioners moved and seconded the two separate motions — Scott (speaker S7) moved to change the base rate with Jordan (speaker S9) seconding — and members announced their votes verbally because of Zoom constraints; the vote tally was recorded as unanimous.

Commissioners said they opted to front-load some revenue to avoid a larger, sudden increase later, when SRF loan repayments begin. Kathy (speaker S2), who provided the budget details, warned that summer consumption and water bans could reduce volumetric revenue and emphasized the need to monitor consumption trends and use retained earnings if necessary.

The commission did not change policy on exemptions in the meeting; staff said they will continue to study billing impacts and alternative billing models and will report back with more detailed cost and equity analyses.

The vote took place near the end of the agenda; the meeting adjourned immediately afterward.