Meeting Notes

Hardwick Sewer Rates and Betterments Discussion

Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 5/03/23

1h 27m

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen convened to discuss proposed sewer rates and betterments with Lori Stevens from ARCAP. Three options for both rates (per bedroom with 4-bedroom maximum, per bedroom with 3-bedroom maximum, and Equivalent Dwelling Units - EDU) were presented, aiming to meet an estimated $850,000 annual Enterprise Fund cost and a $2.8 million betterment cost. The Board voted to adopt the EDU-based rate structure for the current year, with a commitment to rewrite regulations to encompass all three options and re-evaluate rates annually. Discussions also covered the possibility of shifting more betterment costs to the general tax base, the necessity of legal counsel for implementation, and scheduling a public informational meeting on betterments for May 16th. Additionally, the Board briefly addressed the need for a Request for Proposals (RFP) for independent oversight management of the new sewer plants.