WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Finance Committee on Wednesday decided to send a 5 percent increase in the town's water and sewer rates and discussed possible moves that could trim the tax levy increase generated by the fiscal year 2027 spending plan the committee sends to town meeting later this spring.

 

That water rate increase and another 5 percent hike in FY28, in conjunction with use of reserves from the water department, will enable the town to address two capital projects — the replacement of a well and the replacement of customers' water meters — without needing to borrow for either project.

 

The specter of issuing a small bond for a $1.5-million meter replacement project drew concern from members of the Fin Comm at its March 11 meeting.

 

At the same time, the committee is sensitive to big increases in the fees paid by all residents on town water and sewer in a year when town meeting voters already face the prospect of a major rise in the assessment from the Mount Greylock Regional School District among other rising costs of municipal services.

 

But, as noted on Wednesday night, the town's water and sewer rates — not counting its assessment from the Hoosac Water Quality District — have not seen an increase since FY23.

 

Matheus Carrato Alexandre of utility rate consultant Waterworth made his second appearance before the Fin Comm via teleconference and explained how the 5 percent increases in the water rate could cover the department's capital needs and keep the operation in good fiscal shape.

 

"If you're tracking what's happening with the black line, which represents your cash position, all we're showing here is a stable position until '27," Alexandre said, showing the Fin Comm a series of graphs outlining the recent past and next few years of the town's water operations. "In fiscal '27, you're using those restricted funds to cover a large project, and nothing is changing in your cash. It's pretty much staying the same.