Ayer Rate Panel Recommends 3 Percent Water, 4 Percent Sewer Hike for FY 2027

AYER — February 10, 2026 — Ayer's Rate Review Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend a 3 percent water rate increase and a 4 percent sewer rate increase for fiscal year 2027, drawing on $350,000 and $50,000 in retained earnings, respectively, to hold annual household cost increases to roughly $4 on water and $16 on sewer for a typical single-family customer. The committee held the stormwater rate flat at $95, citing insufficient data from the utility's fall 2025 launch. Member Jay Livingston advocated for the conservative water rate, saying the town should wait to see production revenue from the Clearwell project before pursuing a higher increase. The panel also updated connection fees — raising the water rate from $4,800 to $5,100 per equivalent residential unit and sewer from $6,000 to $6,375 — and established a new $2,000 two-inch fire service connection fee. A public hearing is set for March 17, 2026.