Read the full article by Kimberly Houghton (Union Leader)
“Water rates in Merrimack could increase by 22% in July, in part because of ongoing efforts to clean and filter the public water.
The Board of Commissioners for the Merrimack Village District will meet later this month to decide whether the newly proposed rates should be implemented with the next budget, which takes effect July 1.
The new rates, if adopted, would increase the basic rate from $2.32 to $2.83 per 100 cubic feet of water. In a separate proposal, a charge of $3.11 per 100 cubic feet would be imposed for water used in excess of 3,000 cubic feet per quarter.
Also included in the proposal is a meter charge increase from $64 to $78 per year, and a hydrant charge increase from $78 to $95 per year.
‘These are all 22% bumps,’ said Keith Pratt, president of Underwood Engineers. ‘ … This still keeps Merrimack under the state average by quite a bit.’
Pratt warned that another rate hike could be requested as soon as next year…”