Sewer rate hike approved

RUMFORD -- A sewer rate hike of $25 per unit was approved by the Board of Selectmen Thursday, but it was noted Rumford's rates remain the least expensive in the state, according to Tax Collector Tom Bourret.

The increase is dedicated to raise an additional $81,450 annually to the sewer reserve fund, which presently has around $370,000.

Town Manager Carlo Puiia said the town has some 44 to 45 miles of sewer line, many of which are a century old or more. He said it's the town's responsibility to ensure that the Sewer Reserve Fund has enough money to replace sewer lines should they break.

He said that for many years, the town raised $100,000 annually for the reserve fund. The practice stopped due to budget constraints. Rather than put the onus on taxpayers who aren't sewer-system users, Puiia suggested to selectmen that they increase the 2013 rate.

The rate hike of $25 per unit would increase it from $119 to $144 per unit. Puiia said Rumford has 3,258 units and a total 2013 sewer rate assessment of $469,152. He suggested allowing users to pay half of the amount owed by March 1 and the rest by Aug. 1.

Bourret told the board it isn't nearly enough to raise yearly for such a fund, but it's a starting point. "This is a very conservative amount."

In other business, selectman approved a taxi cab license for Gilbert Garry Scott, who is doing business as EZ Taxi. Scott, who had a cab company in Berlin, NH, said he presently the only driver. He can be reached at 364-2459.