by Frank Schroth

Joseph Lynch, director the Milton DPW, hosted a forum on Monday night to listen to resident concerns and questions on the fee structure for Milton’s water and sewer rates. He was joined by Toby Federer of Woodward & Curran. Mr. Federer has been engaged by the town for past 7 years to work on data collection and analysis regarding water and sewer consumption.

Mr. Lynch explained that ~50% of our water budget and ~70% of our sewer budget go directly to the MWRA and that there is very little budget flexibility. He said this is true of all towns that belong to the MWRA. Lynch reviewed Milton’s current 4 tier rate structure which can be found here. The first tier is a fixed rate for consumption under 600 cubic feet. This tier is intended for people, especially seniors, whose use is low and seek to conserve. Most customers are at tier two and that is where most the consumption is. Here is a chart of water use. Sewer usage follows a similar trend.

Chart courtesy of the Milton DPW

A key point Lych mentioned is that due to MWRA assessment the rates can be “a zero sum game.” The DPW is level funded Lynch said and the cost of funding operations for a given year is based on past usage. Therefore any change in one tier will require a change in another since there is a set financial nut that needs to be met.

Town officials are looking at what changes if any should be made to this structure and are seeking community input. At the meeting on Monday there were several residents all from 88 Wharf Street present to ask that a more equitable billing system be developed. The residents of that condominium complex pay a single tier 4 rate. The building has only one meter. Gerry Gauhan, President of the Wharf Street condo association, said simple math could address the issue and that the logistical challenges of installing 73 meters would not be necessary.

Selectman Tom Hurley voiced some concern over the impact that any change would have across town and that it would be necessary to look at the overall impact a change would have. Gene Sullivan, another member of the condo association board, said that some of those institutions were commercial not residential. He said, “We are getting whacked on this tier structure.” Another resident, Brad Woods, said, “We would ask for a fair rate.”

Residents can continue to submit their thoughts and concerns on the topic through end of business Friday. Mr. Lynch has a dedicated email address set up for people to submit comments to. It is wsrates@townofmilton.org.

The selectmen have asked for a recommendation from Mr. Lynch and Mr. Federer. They need a couple more weeks to complete collecting all the necessary information before they can do that.