Wayland sewer commission advances 9 percent rate hike to June hearing

WAYLAND -- May 20, 2024, Wayland sewer commission eyes 9 percent rate hike as screens project triples to $526,000. The Wastewater Management District Commission on May 20 reviewed two scenarios from consultant Matt Abrams of the Abrams Group, 9 percent and 9.25 percent annual increases, after the headworks screens project jumped from $200,000 to $526,000, adding roughly $30,000 a year in debt service. Chair Michael Gitten favored the lower option, citing the library, Council on Aging and Alta Wayland's 96 percent projected occupancy as conservative flow buffers. A typical user would pay about $25 more per quarter, or $100 annually. Operations Manager Jared Cotton reported staff replaced 16 Kubota membrane plates, one tear "the size of a quarter", with Kubota providing 20 replacements at no cost. A formal rate hearing is set for 1 p.m. June 10.