Ayer Rate Review Committee Advances 3 and 4 Percent Water and Sewer Hikes

AYER -- February 24, 2026, Ayer Rate Review Committee recommends 3 percent water and 4 percent sewer rate hikes for FY2027. The committee, meeting February 24, voted unanimously to advance a draft presentation to a public hearing scheduled for March 17, with rates proposed to take effect July 1, 2026. The combined annual impact on a typical resident is estimated at roughly $36, $20 on water and $16 on sewer. The annual stormwater fee was recommended to remain flat at $95, with a 2 percent increase modeled for future years; members noted public confusion over the fee's origins and urged the presentation to cite the town meeting vote that authorized it. A fourth water rate tier, discussed in prior cycles, was deferred pending a full update to the rate model last conducted in fiscal year 2024 with consultant Raftelis.