Ayer Rate Review Committee Freezes Transfer Station Fees for 2021

AYER -- September 29, 2020, Ayer Rate Review Committee holds transfer station fees flat for 2021 and opens discussion on a new water and sewer superintendent role. The committee voted unanimously Tuesday to make no changes to solid waste rates for calendar year 2021, deferring any increases to a spring 2021 review; current projections show the transfer station roughly $10,000 short of its $340,000 revenue target at existing rates. Public Works Superintendent Mark Wetzel, who outlined scenarios ranging from a $5 permit increase to a bag fee hike that could generate an additional $7,000 in revenue, said he had no firm recommendation and that more data was needed. Wetzel also presented a case for creating a dedicated water and sewer superintendent position, noting that combined enterprise budgets represent 70 percent of the DPW's total spending and that three wastewater operators are expected to retire within three years; Town Accountant Lisa Gabri added that the town's $5-to-$6 million annual water and sewer billing operation currently has no backup for the single staff member who manages it. The committee agreed to meet bimonthly, with its next session scheduled for November 10.