A significant increase in the Swampscott sewer rate is expected

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The average homeowner in Swampscott faces combined water and sewer rate increases of $111 to $124 annually based on new rates expected to be implemented this summer to restore reserve funds and allow continued investments in sewage infrastructure.

The Select Board earlier this week heard two proposals that would raise sewer rates by either 19.5 percent or 18.2 percent starting in August, while water rates would increase by either 7.5 percent or 6.2%.

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The two proposals will return to the Water and Sewerage Infrastructure Committee for a discussion and vote before the Select Committee is asked to ratify the increases sometime next month.

“I doubt anyone here is really excited about this level of growth,” said Select Board member Doug Thompson. “But (lower growth) is not an option.”

The increases would move Swampscott from the seventh highest water rate of the 56 MWRA communities to the fifth, and move it from 46th to 41st in sewer rates. Combined, Swampscott would go from 36-of-56 to 23-of-56.

“That’s what happens when you chronically underinvest (in infrastructure),” said Select Board member David Grishman, noting the relatively low increases as well as occasional decreases in sewer rates in recent years.

Finance Director Amy Sauro said next year’s increase is meant to “catch up and maintain” the reserves needed to maintain the city’s Triple A bond rating while limiting big jumps in future years.

“You look at the percentage increase and you think it’s a significant increase, but the nominal dollars are not that significant,” Swampscott City Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said. “The fact that we’re so low compared to other communities tells us that we haven’t really thought critically about where these investments should be made.”

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)