LYNN,
MA -- Water and sewer ratepayers will pay $22 more under a rate hike set
for review by the Water and Sewer Commission June 9.
The proposed increase represents a 3.5 percent increase in the average
water and sewer bill of $623 annually.
"It's a modest hike in keeping with our long-term rate
forecast," Commission Chief Financial Officer David Travers said.
Commissioners last week encouraged ratepayers to attend the 6 p.m.
hearing at its 400 Parkland Ave. headquarters.
The commission hiked rates from $603 for
the average bill to $623 last year. Commissioners plan to follow a
long-term strategy of holding annual rate hikes to about 3 percent, even
though they are reviewing several expensive projects.
The commission Monday approved spending $2.3 million to repave 70
streets torn up when sewer work was under way last year.
The commission will pay for the project with payments held back from
former sewer contractor USFilter. The firm was fired in February with
outstanding payments still owed it by the commission.
The street work will be finished by the
end of the year, and will include sidewalk repairs.
The commission is under federal orders to
create separate storm and sewer line networks in some parts of East Lynn
and West Lynn. A $425,000 study to determine the cost and scope of that
work will be finished in September.
Water and Sewer officials dismissed
claims by USFilter in March that firing the firm will cost ratepayers
hundreds of dollars in rate increases over the next several years as the
additional sewerage work is done.
USFilter Vice President Christopher Hodgkins claimed each additional $2
million spent on sewer separation adds $75 to each ratepayer's bill. But
Travers said in March the commission could use low-interest state loans
to fund the sewer separation project.