Pittsfield Sees Similar Water/Sewer Rate Hike in FY27
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).
The CPIF is a way to adjust for inflation or deflation and is calculated by comparing the year-over-year change in February of the CPI index for water and sewer. Prior to this, sewer and water charges were established from time to time by the commissioner of public services and utilities and adopted by the City Council.
Also on Tuesday, a public hearing will be held at Morningside Community School for the new school attendance zones after the school is retired in the fall. It will be held at the Burbank Street school at 5 p.m.
A transition plan is underway for Morningside students who will be reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools. Three forums were held this week for the redistricting.
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