Lenox water and sewer rates increased

LENOX – The selectmen have raised the water and sewer rates by seven percent for fiscal year 2014.

The increases were approved after a public hearing on the subject, during the selectmen’s May 29 meeting.

Asking for the increases at the hearing was Lenox Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Sean VanDeusen.

“We are proposing a seven percent increase [for both water and sewer] at the DPW,” said Superintendent VanDeusen, adding such an increase was in keeping with the trend of the last 10 years.

In terms of cost, he went on to say it would work out to about $20 more a year for those on town water and $30 more for those hooked up to sewer.

The selectmen were receptive to Superintendent VanDeusen’s proposal.

“The reason they’re looking for an increase…it’s more for infrastructure and capital improvements,” said Selectman Edward P. Lane.

Selectman Lane also noted Lenox’s water and sewer infrastructure was built decades ago with federal money, but the town appeared to be on its own in regards to repairing and replacing it.

“We’re trying to be proactive with the water and sewer rates to build up the funds so we can address the major problems with infrastructure we’re going to have in the future,” he said.

“We don’t want to hit them too hard,” said Superintendent VanDeusen, adding the DPW was also interested in keeping increases within the economic means of the townspeople.

“It’s a lesser increase,” said Chairman W. David Roche, noting previous years had seen percentage increases by double digits. “I think we’re going in the right direction. It’s a lot less than what it could be.”

“The finance committee actually, looking at the long range plan, wanted a 10-percent increase,” said Selectman Channing Gibson, adding a seven percent increase was still mindful of the town’s long term needs.

He also said that he wasn’t arguing for a 10 percent increase.

“It’s really nice to have it presented to us at percent,” said Selectman John McNinch, who has fought against double digit increases in the past.

Selectman Kenneth L. Fowler pointed out the financial impact of the increase could be lessened for individuals by conserving water: “You have some ability to control this through conservation.”

The board of selectmen ended up voting unanimously, albeit unenthusiastically, for the increases.

Posted by Bera B. Dunau on June 6, 2013. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry