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SEWER COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES 
6:00 pm February 13, 2024 
 
The Commission met in the DPW Conference Room as scheduled. 
 
AƩendees: Chair- John Reynolds, Vice-Chair- BreƩ Ramsden, Clerk- Mike Nault, Member-Dave MacDonald, DPW 
Director- Bill Bernard, Business Manager-Paula Bertram. 
 
Chairman opened the meeƟng at 6:03 p.m., no public discussion. 
 
Paula reviewed the various spreadsheets she compiled for the FY25 budget and five-year forecast with the 
Commission.  Fitchburg’s rate has increased 7% each year over the next five years and Leominster will increase 
16.17% in FY25 and an addiƟonal 3% in FY26. 
In order to upgrade some of the pump staƟons and keep them operaƟng efficiently, capital expenditures over 
the next several years are anƟcipated to be approximately $100,000 per year.  AddiƟonally, in order to comply 
with Leominster’s new NPDES permit reporƟng requirements engineering costs are expected to rise.   
Inflow/InfiltraƟon (I/I) into the system has increased significantly and funds will be necessary to idenƟfy the 
causes and to remove I/I.   
The Commission reviewed the balances of revenue accounts at the close of 2023.  Retained earnings $2,232,978, 
Sewer Capital Reserve StabilizaƟon $145,964.73, Inflow/InfiltraƟon $9,986.63; Sewer Reserve Capacity 
$7301.40.  Based on current projecƟons, it will be necessary to draw on retained earnings to supplement the 
budget through FY28. 
The Commission discussed various rate increase scenarios and the financial impact to the rate payers.  Currently 
the average residenƟal customer pays $233 per quarter and the average commercial customer pays $2,194 per 
quarter.  Paula noted that this is the average, some customers may pay less or substanƟally more.   
In order to fund the budget for FY25 and beyond and to meet financial obligaƟons to Fitchburg and Leominster, 
it was the consensus of the Board that a rate increase of 16% in FY25 is required.  This equates to approximately 
$10.00 per quarter for the average residenƟal customer.  Annual rate increases are esƟmated at 3% thereaŌer.  
The minimum rate should increase from $115 to $126 (800 cf).   
Leominster is increasing Lunenburg’s connecƟon fee from $750 to $3,500 in FY25.  The Commission discussed 
the appropriate fee for connecƟon given the Leominster increase.  Following discussion, it was the consensus 
that the connecƟon fee should increase from $2,250 to $3,900 in FY25.   
Mike Nault made a moƟon to increase the sewer rate by 16% in FY25, to change the connecƟon fee to $3,900 
and to accept the FY25 budget.  Mike Mackin seconded the moƟon.  MoƟon passed unanimously. 
At 8:00 pm BreƩ Ramsden made a moƟon to adjourn, seconded by Dave MacDonald, passed unanimously. 
Respecƞully submiƩed, 
Paula Bertram