At the Sept. 24 Hudson Board of Selectmen meeting, one of the agenda items was a public hearing, in regards to proposed sewer rate increases.
It was explained at a previous meeting that for close to three decades, there had been no changes for the sewer flow rates and the meter rates for the Town of Hudson.
“We need to make some adjustments to it,” Town Engineer, Elvis Dhima, told the Board of Selectmen previously.
In a memo to the Board of Selectmen from Dhima and Finance Director, Lisa Labrie, it stated that the “Town of Hudson sewer flow rates and the meter rates have been the same for the past 27 years and 20 years, respectively.”
“During this period, surplus sewer funds were used to offset the budget requirements and we have approximately enough funds to carry us through to the end of this fiscal year (June 2025). Also, during this period, Nashua treatment rates for our sewer have increased by approximately 35%,” the memo stated.
It was explained by Dhima that there were a number of reasons why they feel that it makes sense to look for an increase for the rates.
“Sewer rate adjustments are warranted based on the increased cost of treatment, limited fund balance in the surplus account, and the most recent financial audit,” the memo stated. “The town sewer bill consists of a flat sewer meter charge and the usage, which is based on the water usage. We propose a 10% increase on the flat sewer meter rate and 10% increase on the unit price to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025 and July 1, 2025.”
For flow rates, the present rate is $1.1905, and will be increased to $1.3096 in January, as part of the proposal and will go up to $1.4405 in July.
For meter rates, the current cost is $23, it will increase to $25.30 in January, and will go to $27.83 in July.
For most users, Dhima noted that the increase will equate to about $3.33 per month. It was also noted previously that it would only impact those who are on town sewer.
Dhima said he had not received any comments from people in town regarding the proposed change, which he usually does for these types of proposals.
“I have not received any calls,” Dhima said.
Selectman ,David Morin, noted that instead of making the increases over time he said “we’re doing it in one shot.”
It was also noted by Dhima that even with the increase, their rates will still only be about half of what the rates are for Nashua and Manchester.
Dhima said the goal moving forward will be to look at the rates every three to five years to see if any changes need to be made.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the rate increase.
