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Bristol village water and sewer rates go up

BRISTOL — Water and sewer bills are going up in Bristol Village.
According to the rates set by the Bristol selectboard on June 24, “normal users” will see about a 6 percent increase in the water portion of their bills, and a 5 percent increase in the sewage base rate.
In terms of dollars, this translates — again, for “normal users” — to about $1.25 per month for water (or about $15 per year) and about $8.22 per quarter for sewage (or about $32.88 per year).
Customers with higher flow rates, however, will see much steeper increases.
According to Bristol Town Clerk and Treasurer Jen Myers, the fee for exceeding 100 gallons a day will increase from $72 to $100 and the fee for exceeding an account’s daily flow allocation will increase from $144 to $200.
The increases are due in large part to maintenance, repairs and bond payments.
For instance, fiscal year 2019’s water district budget allocated $17,500 for “contracted services” but the village ended up paying $34,735 for unexpected fixes to the aging system, which serves roughly 600 customers.
So for fiscal year 2020 (which started July 1), the district has budgeted $30,100.
“We’re trying to catch future emergency repairs,” Myers said.
Where sewage rates are concerned, the calendar is partly to blame.
Typically the district tries to spread necessary maintenance procedures across fiscal years, but in FY 2020, some work will have to be done twice.
The Bristol selectboard seems to think it’s worth it, though.
“I think we get a real good deal for water,” said Selectman Ted Lylis at the June 24 meeting.
“I do too,” said selectboard chair Joel Bouvier.
Selectman John “Peeker” Heffernan agreed.
“And it’s good water.”
Reach Christopher Ross at [email protected].

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