Wayland sewer commission moves toward 10 percent rate increase for FY24

WAYLAND -- May 9, 2023, Wayland Wastewater Commission targets 10 percent sewer rate hike for FY24. The board tested scenarios from rate-study consultant Matt Abrams showing a 15.72 percent one-year increase would fully cover the FY24 budget without tapping reserves, but Chair Michael Gitten and member Darrin Bock settled informally on a 10 percent bump to both the base charge and tier-one rate, roughly $24 per quarter for a typical two-bedroom unit. The commission slashed its Alta Wayland flow assumption after Operations Manager Jared Cotton reported the complex was generating only 6,500-7,000 gallons per day at 60 percent occupancy, well below the 18,000-gallon full-occupancy estimate. Member Doug Levine announced he will step down after the June meeting to focus on the Zoning Board of Appeals. DPW Director Tom Holder said Route 20 pump station work, funded by a $2.2 million MassWorks grant, begins Monday and must be billed by June 30.