During remarks to the City Council, Tom Ambrosino, the city manager, raised the prospect of establishing a universal trash fee system for residents in future years. His reasoning centered on the mounting expenses associated with waste collection and recycling operations.
Water and sewer rates would see a 7.95 percent jump this year, Ambrosino announced, while the trash fee itself would rise by 10 percent compared to the previous year.
Owner-occupied properties currently avoid trash charges, unlike other residential categories. Ambrosino suggested this distinction might warrant reconsideration going forward.
“This new trash fee represents an increase of 10 percent,” he said. “Residential owners will pay an additional $32.88 annually as a result of this increase. I recognize that annual increases of 10 percent are painful, but even with this increase we will not cover the cost of our trash system with our fees. I have mentioned for some time that the City should consider changes to our current rate structure for Solid Waste Disposal. Specifically, I suggest we start the discussion of at least some nominal fee for owner occupied units. Otherwise, 10-plus percent increases will be the norm for the foreseeable future.”
For residential properties, the trash rate climbs to $30.09 each month, whereas commercial units within mixed-use buildings face monthly charges of $141.96.
The water and sewer increases affect all homeowners universally. Residents using average amounts should budget approximately $1,776 yearly for combined water and sewer expenses, based on the new rates.
Breaking down the components: water rates increase 6 percent alone, sewer rates alone increase 9 percent, and these combine to yield the 7.95 percent overall increase for households.
At the Tier 1 usage level, the combined rate structure stands at $14.80 per hundred cubic feet.
Implementation began July 1, though Councillor Bob Bishop expressed objections at Monday’s Council meeting.
“The water and sewer rates in Chelsea are too high,” he said. “I think we should be doing everything we can to hold the line or decrease these rates every year. Other cities and towns aren’t charging the rates we charge…It seems to be a feeding trough at the water and sewer department. I don’t like it.”