Water and Sewer Rates Stay Put

There will be no increase in water and sewer rates in 2012.

Town Administrator Andrew Maylor recommended, and selectmen approved, maintaining the rate at $11.39 — $6.40 for water and $4.99 for sewer.

Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual increase in the water/sewer rates has been 4.4 percent, according to town documents.

Maylor said the town saw a 13 percent increase in the rates in 2010 in response to their difficulty collecting payment from water and sewer users after the economic downturn in about 2008.

Since then, users, recognizing that money is tight in a tough economy, have cut back on water use, he said.

"As the economy has slowed, the consumption of water has dropped fairly (significantly)," the administrator said.

The town's collection rates have improved as the amounts of the water and sewer bills have gone down, he said.

The rates are fully funded by users, Maylor said.

The board welcomed the rate news.

"Any time we can hold the line on any increase I think that is a great thing," he said.