Granby to Hold Public Hearing on Sewer Rate Increase

There has been a slight increase in sewer use fees over the past year, and residents will have a chance to voice their comments regarding the proposed fees on May 16. 

The Granby Water Pollution Control Authority has called for a public hearing on Monday, May 16, where they will set the sewer use rates for the 2011-12 year. 

In addition to hearing comments from the public, they will also accept written communications as well. 

This year’s recommendation from Town Manager William Smith is a minimum of $125 per year for the cost of the average yearly residential gallon use (55,000 gallons) for residential users. On the commercial/industrial side, the fees are recommended at a minimum of $175 per unit for up to 100,000 gallons. Any usage above the minimum is recommended to be charged at $0.004 per gallon for both residential and commercial/industrial parties. 

The overall change over last year is very small, $5 for the minimum fees and $.001 for usage over the minimum. 

The Granby Water Pollution Control Authority voted last year to set the sewer use rates for 2010-11 as follows: residential users were to be charged a minimum of $120 per year for the average residential gallons used per year, which is 55,000 gallons. A minimum of $170 per unit for up to 100,000 was voted on for commercial/industrial users. And, for any usage above the minimums, both parties were charged $.003 per gallon. 

Lauren Stuck, collector of revenue in Granby, identified the three reasons for the small increase in user fees. 

"As I understand it, the sewer rates are increasing for three reasons: the Simsbury sewer plant charges are increasing, electric rates are going up and there are maintenance items that need to be handled," she said in an e-mail this week. 

This past Monday, the Board of Selectmen called for the May 16 public hearing to be held at 7:45 p.m. in the town hall meeting room. The regular Board of Selectmen’s meeting is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.