METHUEN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Methuen residents are pushing back against a proposal that would increase water and sewer rates in the city for the first time years.
Methuen City Council Chair Joel Faretra told WBZ NewsRadio that rates have not been raised since Fiscal Year 2020.
The plan, which was proposed back in June, would increase rates by 10% the first year, another 10% the second year, a 5% increase the third year, and a 2.5% increase each year the following two years.
“I know a lot of the constituents are against it. They've reached out to me,” Faretra said. "Some of them understand that the rates need to go up but they want to see the data that goes with that."
Residents that WBZ NewsRadio spoke to were against the proposal.
"I mean they keep raising taxes for everything," one resident said. "Our property taxes, our electricity is going up; now the sewer."
"I think it's way too much," another resident said. "I don't think it's going to be fair for a lot of people [because] everything goes up except for your pay."
A vote on the proposal was tabled at last week's Methuen City Council meeting. The next vote is expected in September.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok