Waterford RTM Approves Sewer Rate Increase, 2027 Beach Fees And $200,000 Water Reserve

WATERFORD, CT — The Waterford Representative Town Meeting approved increases to sewer rates and beach fees for 2027 and authorized the transfer of $200,000 into a new emergency reserve for the town's water distribution system during its Oct. 5 meeting.

The sewer rate increase passed 23-1-1, with Julie Watson Jones voting against the measure and Mullen Kohl abstaining. The beach fee changes passed 22-3, while the water reserve appropriation was approved unanimously.

The decisions followed recommendations from the town's Utility Commission and Public Health, Recreation and Environment Committee.

Sewer Rates To Increase In January

The RTM approved a recommendation from the Public Works, Planning and Development Committee to raise the town's sewer usage rate, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

The new rate structure establishes a facility service charge of $43.20 per quarter for each equivalent dwelling unit, or EDU, and a consumption charge of $5.81 per 100 cubic feet of water used.

The changes are intended to help the sewer system achieve financial self-sufficiency, according to the recommendation presented to the RTM.

Utility Commission Director Jill Stevens and representatives of Raftelis, the consulting firm that conducted the town's sewer rate study, presented financial projections and answered questions.

The study found that Waterford's sewer rates had not increased since 2009. It projected approximately $11 million in capital costs over five years and estimated that the town's General Fund would need to subsidize the sewer enterprise fund by approximately $1.7 million annually without additional revenue.

Raftelis recommended a larger initial increase in sewer revenue followed by annual adjustments through fiscal 2031.

According to the presentation, a typical residential customer using 11 hundred cubic feet of water per quarter would see an annual sewer bill increase from $334 to $428.44, a difference of $94.44, or 28.3 percent.

A lower-volume residential customer using six hundred cubic feet per quarter would see an annual increase of $48.24, or 18.3 percent.

For a commercial customer with a 1-inch meter using 46 hundred cubic feet per quarter, the study projected an annual increase of $406.32, or 36.5 percent.

The consultants said the recommended increases would allow the sewer enterprise fund to maintain reserves and reduce its reliance on the town's General Fund.

RTM Creates $200,000 Water Emergency Reserve

The RTM unanimously approved transferring $200,000 from the undesignated fund balance of the Capital Nonrecurring Expenditure Fund into a new capital project account.

The appropriation establishes a Water Distribution System Emergency Capital Funds Reserve.

The Utility Commission had recommended the transfer, and the Board of Finance endorsed it before the proposal reached the RTM.

The reserve is intended to provide funding for emergency capital needs involving the town's water distribution system.

Beach Fees To Rise In 2027

The RTM also approved proposed 2027 beach fees recommended by the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Narciss Greene, chair of the Public Health, Recreation and Environment Committee, presented the recommendation.

The fee changes passed 22-3, with Christopher Casper, Peter Elbaum and Danielle Steward-Gelinas voting against the proposal.

The meeting minutes do not specify the individual beach fees or the amounts of the increases.

Board Of Assessment Appeals Appointments Approved

The RTM unanimously approved three appointments to the Board of Assessment Appeals.

John R. Morgan of West Strand Road was appointed to the board.

The RTM also approved the appointments of Lee Couture of Woodsea Place and Robert Longstreth as additional members serving special one-year terms.

The appointments were approved without opposition.

RTM Discusses Route 85 Traffic Concerns

During announcements, First Selectman Robert Brule discussed his request to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to provide a state-owned parcel between the Crystal Mall and Walmart to the town.

Brule said the property could be used to construct a road providing an alternate exit from the commercial area to Parkway North.

The proposed connection could help address traffic problems along Route 85, according to Brule.

The RTM did not vote on the proposal.

Other Business

During public comment, Helen Kwasniewski of Bloomingdale Road raised concerns about the town's Utility Commission, including the possibility of increasing its membership from five to seven.

The RTM also unanimously approved its Aug. 3 and Aug. 31 meeting minutes, with one member abstaining.

A proposed budget transfers ordinance was referred to the Finance, Wage and Personnel Committee for further review.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.