Wayland Public Works board approves tiered water rate increase for FY25

WAYLAND -- June 18, 2024, Wayland sets FY25 water rates with tiered hike and higher pfas surcharge. The Board of Public Works voted unanimously Tuesday to raise tier one and two rates 2 percent and tier three and four rates 3 percent, and to lift the pfas treatment surcharge from 6.21 percent to 7.5 percent of each bill, citing a 17 percent increase in pfas system lease costs. Chair George Uveges and consultant Matt of the Abrahams Group projected retained earnings near $900,000, just above the board's 20 percent target. Public Works Director Tom Holder reported fiscal 2024 came in roughly $400,000 under budget and said Baldwin Pond is running at "half capacity." The town will activate its newly certified MWRA emergency connection, at $5,178 per million gallons, for three days starting the week of July 15. Member Michael Spelman said he prefers being "a little over target" given expenses "coming down the line."