Stoughton's Water, Sewer and Trash Rates Going Up

Stoughton Selectmen approved a 2.5 percent hike for Fiscal Year 2013 water rates, a 2 percent raise for sewer rates and a $4 increase in trash collection fees for the year (a $1 increase per quarter), at the Board's meeting Tuesday, June 19.

A group of Interim Town Manager Joseph Feaster, DPW Superintendent John Batchelder, Jack Mitchell of the DPW, and Town Accountant Bill Rowe had proposed a 5 percent increase for both the water and sewer rates, but selectmen, on a split vote, opted for less of an increase.

Selectmen voted to approve the trash rate increase as proposed.

The average water and sewer bill will go up somewhere between $2 and $5 per quarter, or about $10 to $20 for the year. Take a look at the chart below for a more specific breakdown.

Town officials said the rate increases were needed to deal with rising costs, but the increases were kept to a minimum to not over-bruden the taxpayer. 

Last August, Selectmen approved a  for both water and sewer rates and an  in trash fees for this Fiscal year.

Water Rates (Quarterly Bill)

FY2012 (5% increase)

2000 cubic feet usage, residential 5/8" meter

Sewer Rates (Quarterly Bill)

Trash Rates

Selectmen also approved the following rate/fee increases for specialized services. These do not impact most residents:

• New water service for a 1.5" line will increase from $1,500 to $2,700
• New water service for a 2" line will increase from $2,000 to $3,000
• Meter test will increase from $40 to $50
• Final water meter billing will increase from $25 to $40
• Shut-offs and turn-offs will increase from $40 to $45 for regular hours
• Hydrant fees will increase from $124 to $160
• Sprinkler fees (per inch) will increase from $18.60 to $22.50