Selectmen Approve Sewage and Water Rate Increases in Mansfield

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 on Wednesday, with chair Jess Aptowitz voted against, on two motions that increased water and sewer rates by six-percent respectively, to be implemented June 1 of 2012.

Mansfield Department of Public Works Director Lee Azinheira presented the increase to the board and said that the rate increase was discussed in 2006 and in 2010.

"We need to continue on the [rate increase] schedule to avoid larger issues in the future,” Azinheira said.

Water rates have now increased to by six- percent in the 2013 fiscal year. The rate per household is based on water usage, but year-to-year increases only see a maximum increase of no more than $15 dollars. A 6 percent increase is scheduled until fiscal year 2015, at which time the rate will be increased by four percent.

The funds from the water services will go to helping the water capital projects, such as the Walsh Well Field, Cate Springs Well and the Albertini Wells Water Treatment Plant.

Estimated annual cost of a family of four using 11,000 cubic feet of water per year for this upcoming increase on June of 2012 is projected at $473.76, a $26.84 increase from the previous year(projections from March 2010). According to those projections,  the same family of four would be paying $553.64 in 2015, an increase of $79.88 from the 2011 rate.

Azinheira said that the Mansfield water rates were slightly below the state average in 2009, and, while he said he didn’t have exact figures in front of him at the meeting, he thinks that Mansfield is still at the very least in line with the state average.

The increase in sewer rates would cost a homeowner an additional maximum of just above $6 per year, and are gauged by $1 for every cubic foot of waste removed.

Azinheira said that the increase is part of a projection schedule established in 2006 and presenting in the 2006 and 2007 annual town meetings. These projected increases went to and are still helping to fund the phase I capital improvement plan for the wastewater treatment plant.