Bourne Town Hall
BOURNE – Bourne residents could see a $53 increase for their annual sewer rate.
That would bring the current $826 flat rate up to $879, according to Town Administrator Tom Guerino.
The rate change was approved by the Bourne Board of Sewer Commissioners on August 28.
$50,000 from the town’s sewer retained earnings account helped to cover the sewer costs, but as of last year, the board has since taken stance against subsidizing the cost.
“It’s nice to subsidize, but the longer you go, they become dependent on it. When you finally take it away, the hits going to be that much harder. So you may be better off trying to wean it off sooner rather than later,” said Commission Member Peter Meier.
The board was originally planning to seek $25,000, but has since reconsidered the idea.
“The board voted to put $50,000 towards it this year, the town meeting agreed… At one point we were looking for an additional $25,000—we came off of that.” said Administrator Guerino.
“Next year, the board will have to consider whether it wants to do $25,000 or zero. That will be a recommendation by the new Town Administrator working with the board of sewer commissioners on what they want to do. It was eating too much into the retained earnings over time,” said Guerino.
Currently, a search committee has been assembled to appoint a new town administrator of Bourne, who is yet to be chosen. More information on the search committee can be found here.
About Grady Culhane
