A minority of customers get reduced sewer rates.

Byline: Debbie LaPlaca

CHARLTON - A recent vote by three of the five water-sewer commissioners to reduce sewer service rates for a small portion of the system's customers has one commissioner suggesting that the move was self-serving.

"The change seems to benefit only the 57 metered customers, not the other 500 or so users," Commissioner Sandra Dam said yesterday in an interview.

Ms. Dam was absent from a special meeting held at the wastewater treatment plant last week when Stephen B. Alcott of Alcott Assoc. reported the sewer department's 2009 revenue is projected at $1.1 million, which is 19 percent more than what is needed.

Mr. Alcott suggested rate reductions for both the 497 customers with Title 5 billing and the 57 with metered billing. Title 5 of the state Environmental Code is a formula used in the absence of a meter that estimates wastewater discharge at 110 gallons per bedroom, per day.

Robert F. Lemansky made a motion to reduce rates for only the 57 on meters. With John W. Elliott Sr. and Paul E. Gagner in favor, the motion passed unanimously. Joseph Haebler was absent.

"I am concerned that a rate was adopted during what was supposed to be a workshop meeting with no votes taken. In my opinion the rate adopted clearly benefits Mr. Gagner, a member of our own commission," Ms. Dam said.

Mr. Gagner, who owns Charlton Laundromat & Cleaners, first complained to the commission in March 2006 because, he said, the method of billing was putting his business of 18 years at risk. He became one of the 57 customers with metered billing April 2007 and became a commissioner May 2007.

When asked why he participated in a vote that directly affects his business, Mr. Gagner said yesterday, "It was just a meeting discussing rates, he (Mr. Alcott) came in with a couple different proposals and we adopted one of them."

Mr. Gagner said the commission chose to adopt changes one step at a time and he expects more discussion regarding possible reductions for the Title 5 customers.

"Hopefully the new rates will give some incentive for others to convert to meters. The rate thing was an injustice to many people and now with the new board members we are making strides to make it more fair to all."

The new rates for meters became effective Tuesday. The capacity charge dropped from $93.75 per dwelling, per quarter to a flat $30 administrative fee and the flow rate increased from .0046 cents to .0107 cents per gallon.

The capacity charge, or administrative fee, covers fixed costs of the sewer infrastructure; the metered flow rate is to cover the expense of processing the sewerage.

"With the new rate, Mr. Gagner's savings could be as much as $2,700 a quarter, while some quarterly bills for residential customers on meters may increase," Ms. Dam said.

The Laundromat's April quarterly bill of $4,481 is in arrears.

According to the town collector's office, Mr. Gagner has not paid a sewer bill since September. In December, the town placed a $22,884 lien for more than a year of debt against his property. He has amassed an additional $14,024 in sewer service debt since then.

When asked if he plans to pay the town, Mr. Gagner said he has made two payments - $3,500 "some time ago" and $5,000 last fall.

"When the dust settles, the Charlton Laundromat will get squared up with the town," he said.

Mr. Alcott's suggestion for the 497 on Title 5 billing was not adopted, but would have reduced the rate from $70 per bedroom, per quarter to $60.

NAME: CHARLTON WATER-SEWER COMMISSION