Council approves 4% water rate increase for 2027; residents warn of hardship for older households

Councilors approved a proposed 4% water rate increase for the 2027 fiscal year. In the meeting the rates were listed as 5.25 for residential customers and 8.70 for commercial customers; the transcript does not specify the billing unit or whether these figures represent dollars per unit, per 1,000 gallons, or another measure.

Multiple residents and a councilor questioned the timing and impact of the increase on older and lower‑income households. One speaker asked whether it would be possible to offset part of the increase by charging larger commercial customers (for example, big retail chains) more than residents. Officials said the rate increase reflects broader cost pressures and that if the council did not approve a modest increase now it could result in a larger adjustment the following year — a council speaker suggested the next year’s increase could be about double if the rise were deferred.

The transcript referenced the regional water authority (recorded in the transcript as 'MMWRA'); that term appears to refer to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Councilors discussed the prior year’s larger increase and noted the new increase is approximately 4 percent. The motion to raise rates was put to a vote and approved according to the meeting record; the transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.