Council wants to soften the blow of sewer rate increases

The Windsor Town Council will discuss lowering proposed rate
increases for water and water reclamation customers at a meeting
next week.
The council considered rate increases of 3.5 percent for water
and 5 percent for reclaimed water last week, but delayed a decision
to determine if smaller increases are possible.
Councilmember Sam Salmon proposed lower increases of 2 percent
for water and 3 percent for reclaimed water, after several Windsor
residents addressed the council and said the town should not
increase utility rates in the midst of a slow economy.
Salmon suggested the town revise its spending plan in order to
offer the smaller increases.
“I think we can deal with some reduction in the rates through
the budget,” he said.
The increases are needed because of higher maintenance and
energy costs for water services, but are lower than previously
expected, said Administrative Services Director Jim McAdler.
The town had projected increases of 7.5 percent for water and
reclaimed water users, but a study completed in May showed that
lower rate hikes were possible because of higher-than-expected
revenues.
The town did not increase water rates from 1993 to 2000, and
since that time, has approved small increases to keep up with
rising operations costs, said McAdler.
Consultant Brian Antman of Bartle Wells Associates said delaying
rate increases this year could lead to higher rates in future
years.
If the council approves the rate increases, they will go into
effect July 1.