Chris Hodgkins to announce his run for State Senate

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Former State Representative, Christopher Hodgkins will announce his bid for the State Senate on Tuesday, June 13th. Hodgkins will begin a county tour, starting at 11am at the Community Health Center at 940 South Main St. in Great Barrington. Hodgkins will discuss the need to expand and fund universal health care and early intervention for children and families. At 1pm, Chris Hodgkins will talk of his advocacy and determination to fight for educational funding for our community schools at the Conte School at 200 W. Union St. in Pittsfield. Rounding out his announcement at 3pm, Hodgkins will join with supporters from North Adams in front of City Hall at 10 Main St. in North Adams to talk about economic revitalization of our downtown centers and advocacy for Western Massachusetts. Chris Hodgkins from Lee, Massachusetts served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 20 years. A graduate of Berkshire Community College and the University of Massachusetts, Hodgkins is known for his distinguished public service – and for his accomplishments on behalf of people who need a strong advocate in state government. He is stepping back into public service after Serving as President and CEO of his own environmental water filtration company.
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Pittsfield Sees Similar Water/Sewer Rate Hike in FY27

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The mayor's office has proposed a 7 percent water rate increase and a 6.40 percent sewer rate increase for fiscal year 2027. 

Budget season has begun, and on Tuesday, the City Council will see proposed water and sewer rates.  This would increase scheduled accounts by about $6.50 per month, and metered accounts would rise by about $4.30 per month. 

They are based on a 5.10 percent Consumer Price Index Factor. 

"The rate changes proposed support the budget for the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds and fund increases in salaries and expenses for Utilities system operations, debt service for capital projects, and the build-up of Retained Earnings," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities wrote in a communication. 

Under these rates, the average household would pay about $370 per year for one toilet and about $461 for its sewer, totaling around $831. Additional toilets would cost about $416 per year, and metered water would be $2.67 per 100 cubic feet for water and $5.48 per 100 cubic feet for sewer, totaling $8.15 per 100 cubic feet. 

Swimming pool charges would increase from $100 annually to $120. 

The FY26 increases were almost the same: a 7 percent water rate increase and a 6 percent sewer rate increase. 

A couple of years ago, Mayor Peter Marchetti proposed a formula-based approach for water/sewer rates that aims to fairly adjust rates yearly using the Consumer Price Index Factor (CPIF) and the Operational Stability Factor (OSF).

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