Granby Water Pollution Control Authority Sets 2011-12 Sewer Fees

Residents will see a minute increase in their sewer use fees for the 2011-12 year. The Granby Water Pollution Control Authority (Board of Selectmen) set the rates after holding a public hearing on the fee schedule Monday evening. Not one resident spoke during the hearing, nor were any written communications received on the matter. 

The new fees adopted Monday evening that were recommended by Town Manager William Smith are as follows:

• minimum of $125 per year for the cost of the average yearly residential gallon use (55,000 gallons) for residential users

• minimum of $175 per unit for up to 100,000 gallons for commercial/industrial users 

• usage above the minimum for residential and commercial/industrial users will to be charged at $0.004 per gallon 

“We have an extremely low user rate,” Smith said. “That is commendable on the part of the town and the sewer authority.”

Granby’s fees, Smith said, are far below most costs associated with other sewer authorities. 

Smith added that in 2008, approximately $125,000 was received from the set fees, $122,000 the following year and $128,000 the year after that. 

“This fee will probably generate close to $10,000 more than that,” Smith said, which would total between $138,000 and $140,000. 

There is an overall change over last year of $5 for the minimum fee and $.001 for usage over the minimum.  Last year’s rates were a minimum of $120 per year for the average residential gallon usage (55,000 gallons) and $170 per unit for commercial/industrial users for up to 100,000 gallons. Usage above the minimum was set at $.003 per gallon. 

Smith identified some of the reasons for the small increase in the fees for 2011-12, the first of which is maintenance to the several pump stations. Other areas that contributed include increased costs from the town of Simsbury, where the sewage is deposited, as well as increasing electric rates. 

In other news, the Board of Selectmen reminded the public that the annual Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 30. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. sharp, with parade participants lining up at 9:30 a.m. in the Geissler’s Plaza, according to First Selectman John Adams.