Randolph water, sewer rates rise

Randolph property owners, already facing higher real estate tax bills this year as a result of a $6.1 million override, will now have to absorb a 26 percent increase in their water and sewer bills.

The average user's bill for those combined services will jump by $160: from $658 to $818 per year. About 9,000 property owners - virtually every household and business in town - are on the water and sewer system.

And the impact of the increase, approved late last month by the Board of Public Works, will be felt immediately. Semiannual bills based on the new rates are set to go out on a rolling schedule beginning next week.

Meanwhile, the owner of a median-priced home in town (about $321,000), has been hit with a $500 increase in annual real estate taxes, due to the override approved this past spring. Bills for the first quarter have already arrived.

Property owner Joseph Burke called the water and sewer rate jump "just another back door override."

"People can't afford it," he said. "It's bad out there."

David Zecchini, the public works superintendent, isn't surprised by the reaction. "I know people are going to be upset with their bills," Zecchini said. "I'm sure I'll be upset with mine."

Water rates rose from $2.20 per 100 cubic feet (about 750 gallons) to $2.90. Sewer rates, based on a customer's water use, went up through a two-tiered system, rising from $3.98 to $4.68 per 100 cubic feet up to 5,000 cubic feet. Users who go beyond 5,000 cubic feet will be charged $7.72 per each additional 100 cubic feet, up from $6.09.

The primary cause for the rate increase was the water and sewer departments' switch, this year, to a self-sustaining enterprise fund system - a change approved by Town Meeting. The yearly expenses for the water and sewer departments, including related items like salaries, insurance, and capital expenses, must now be borne solely by that account, which will be funded with water and sewer revenue.

"I spoke against the change at the Town Meeting," said Burke, who recently resigned as a Town Meeting representative. "I told people this would happen, and nobody believed me."

Zecchini said several area towns have self-supporting water and sewer departments. "And the state Department of Revenue was supportive we went that way," he added.

The water budget for the current year is $3.16 million. The town draws its water from three reservoirs. The sewer budget is $5.5 million, with $4.6 million of that going to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for sewer service.

In the past, the town's general fund made up for any shortfalls in water and sewer related expenses.

Zecchini said the Town Meeting vote to convert to the enterprise fund system was done two years ago.

"We didn't know, at that point, economic times would become so bad," Zecchini said. "Some people were really upset at our public hearing on the water rates, and that's understandable. But we have to do what's best for the water and sewer system."

The town's water and sewer networks date to 1887, he said. Several upgrades have been necessary during the past few years. Town Meeting, this past spring, authorized another $6.1 million in upgrades that will be paid for through loans from the state at 2 percent interest rates. Payments on the loans will be covered through the water and sewer rates.

Joseph McElroy, chairman of the Board of Public Works, said members approved the increase very reluctantly. "It wasn't a matter of choice," he said. "It was a matter of necessity.

"Everybody is paying more for everything," he continued. "Our costs have gone up, and we have commitments to meet. We had no choice but to pass it on to consumers."

Christine Legere can be reached at christinelegere@yahoo.com.