Wayland sewer commission approves 9.55% rate hike across all tiers

WAYLAND -- June 14, 2023, Wayland sewer commission raises rates 9.55% across the board for FY24. The Wastewater Management District Commission voted unanimously June 14 to lift the base charge and both usage tiers by 9.55 percent, raising the typical quarterly bill from $249.57 by roughly $24, about $100 annually. Chair Michael Gitten, Darrin Bock and outgoing member Doug Levine opted against a 14 percent across-the-board increase that would have fully covered operations, instead drawing about $56,000 from retained earnings. Bock said the board had to "deal with the reality" that Alta at River's Edge sits at just 63.76 percent occupancy and is generating only about 8,000 gallons per day, well below the 18,000 originally projected. Consultant Matt Abrahams of the Abrahams Group projected an FY23 deficit of $117,000. The commission also approved a $50,000 vehicle replacement for FY25, funded from retained earnings.