The Select Board Tuesday night reluctantly voted to raise water rates by 40% but kept sewer rates flat for the upcoming fiscal year.
Select Board chair Brian Herr questioned the high raise as well as the alternate presented of 50%. He asked if the water enterprise fund “would be turned upside down” if the jump in the rates isn’t instituted.
This fund is in the negative for this physical year. The rate change would impact the following year’s enterprise fund. It would not affect the town’s stellar AAA bond rating.
Member Shahidul Mannan questioned whether the rate could be lowered to 30% to soften the blow on residents.
Chief Financial Officer Kyla LaPierre explained that that would keep the department solvent but would leave no money to handle emergencies.
She added that the high jump was alluded to last year, so residents should not be surprised by the high rate now.
Department of Public Works Director Kerry Reed explained that water is an essential resource. It is also the least expensive of all utilities.
Things like modification to the school water storage tank could be put on hold, “but you’re just pushing it down the road,” Reed said. Expenses likely will be higher in the future.
Reed also pointed out that the department currently doesn’t meet some Environmental Protection Agency regulations because projects in years past were delayed.
She added that the rate is comparable or less than water rates in other towns.
The average user cost would be $148.
The sewer rates staying flat will soften the blow somewhat. Their retaining fund is considered healthy.
Herr proposes water/sewer advisory board
To have a better understanding of these issues in the future, Herr proposed establishing a water and sewer advisory board. This would allow for regular updates on the town’s situation. It also will be able to build on Mannan’s work on establishing a committee to study PFAS issues and the upcoming connection to the MWRA system.
Ritterbusch asked for more specifics, so the item will be discussed at the next meeting.
Center School, Elmwood School options reviewed
Permanent Building Committee members appeared before the board to discuss the options for the former Center School, the current Elmwood School building and Town Hall.
PBC chair Dan McIntyre noted that there is a current proposal for housing and a small restaurant at Center School. The façade of the 1928 structure would be retained.
A more viable option for the town, he explained, would be a public/private partnership with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, which is looking to expand. In addition to having HCA programming there, there could be public meeting space as well as space for the Parks & Recreation Department and Youth & Family Services.
McIntyre recommended that if Town Hall departments decide to move, the best option would be the current Elmwood School building. He stressed that most departments have outgrown their current space, while the Elmwood School building offers more land and resources.
Members balked at the cost for the town renovating either building given the town’s financial stress. Renovations at either facility would range from $40 million-$50 million.
While the Permanent Building Committee was praised for its diligent research, the board decided to consider its options at a future meeting.
Southborough has agreed to let Hopkinton to tap into it’s source from Quabbin.Why not put a rush on that.