The Town of Ayer has opened the rate review process for Fiscal Year 2027. Between now and next Spring, the Select Board will hold public hearings to set the rates we pay for property taxes, water, sewer, stormwater drainage and to use the transfer station. Most rates will take effect on July 1, 2026; transfer station fees are typically by the calendar year.
The Select Board will host public hearings on the property tax classification and transfer station rates in November, according to the town’s FY 2027 budget calendar. The Rate Review Committee will then work on its recommendation to the Select Board on water, sewer and stormwater drainage rates. A public hearing is scheduled for March.
Transfer Station
The Rate Review Committee was scheduled to meet on October 14th. We did not see the meeting. But according to the agenda materials, the DPW director has recommended $5 increases on regular and second vehicle permits. Residents under the age of 65 currently pay $105. Those who purchase a second household sticker currently pay $30. Read the town’s website with current transfer station rates.
No Increases on Senior Permits or Blue Bags. The DPW director did not recommend raising the $60 senior permit fee for residents age 65 and older or the cost of blue bags. But he noted the senior sticker has remained the same price since fiscal year 2020.
Water and Sewer
For the current year, the Select Board voted last March to raise water rates 2 percent and sewer rates 2.5 percent. See agenda packet.
Stormwater Drainage
In October 2024, Special Town Meeting voted to start a stormwater drainage utility. The Select Board approved a $95 stormwater drainage rate for residents last March.
However, the town hasn’t sent out stormwater drainage bills yet as of October 1. The DPW director recently met with the Select Board and reported there were industry computer and software-related issues.
What this means is residents have no exposure to the billing as the Rate Review Committee begins its work. This is important because prior to the Town Meeting approval, the town had proposed the $95 rate, but warned the stormwater drainage rate may double in the second year. If that happened, residents would pay $190, in addition to the other rates.
The public can follow the Rate Review process and the public hearings with the Select Board. The Rate Review committee is one of the town committees where residents and town employees both hold voting seats. Here, there are 9 members, including four town employees: the Town Manager, the DPW Director, the Water and Sewer Superintendent and the Finance Manager. The meeting is chaired by a Select Board member and there are three other resident members. In addition, there is one SIU representative from a food manufacturer in town. Rate Review Committee webpage.