Woburn Water/Sewer Bills Will Increase 15%, With Council Approval

WOBURN, MA — Woburn's water and sewage rates are increasing 15 percent, after Mayor Scott Galvin's proposal received support from City Council at their Tuesday meeting. Council voted seven to two, with Aldermen Richard Gately and Lindsay Higgins against. The annual residential base rate will increase $87.94.

"It seems rather aggressive, a 15 percent hike, but when you take into account that we're actually taking money out of our savings account to pay the bills, that's a big deal," Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen said. "At the end of the day, I think we need to do this. It's been kicked down the road for too long."

Residential users are billed semi-annually at a flat rate. The 15 percent increase brings the total annual water and sewer bill to $674.25. Metered commercial rates will also increase.

In his communication to council proposing the hike, Galvin wrote, "This increase is necessary to cover the costs required to deliver water and sewer services to end users."

"I just think this is retroactive and I don't think it's appropriate right now," Higgins said, ahead of the vote.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.