Select Board approves higher business water/sewer charges and temporary residential increase

The Pittsburg Select Board voted to double the town's business water and sewer rates and approved a six-month increase for residential rates after a lengthy discussion of usage patterns and delinquent accounts.

Staff member (S2) told the board it had sent seven certified delinquent letters for water and sewer accounts, and that some businesses use many times the water of typical residences. "One of the restaurants has 70,563 [gallons]," S2 said, arguing commercial customers should pay more. S2 recommended changing rates to reflect usage rather than a single flat fee.

Board members debated options including a flat base rate plus overage charges and awaited a formal rate study. Chair (S1) moved to double the business rate; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Later, Speaker 5 (S5) moved to increase residential rates "to $2.50 for water and 300 for sewer for 6 months for residential" (as stated in the transcript); that motion was seconded by S3 and approved by voice vote. The transcript records the sewer figure as "300"; the board did not clarify the notation in the meeting.

S2 also described town accounting for user fees and cited a sewer operating balance reported at about $127,000. Several members urged creation of a dedicated revolving or capital-reserve account so user fees can be used for repairs and emergencies without routing through the general fund. S2 and others said state RSAs and grant rules may affect how funds can be segregated and said staff will research legal/accounting options.

The board said it will revisit rate structure after the pending rate study and asked staff to return with more detailed billing scenarios and legal guidance.