Town of New Canaan Board of Finance will hold a Public Hearing on Proposed Changes in Sewer Charges on June 8 at 7pm in the Town Hall Meeting Room (or virtual) to hear public comments on rates for residents who are connected to the Town sewer system.
The Board of Finance changed the previous ad valorem sewer tax to a tiered, flat-rate Sewer Fee system for FY2020 and beyond. For Residential sewer users, the User Fee flat rates are being phased in over three years for FY 2020, FY 2021 and FY 2022, as follows, subject to annual changes after FY2022 as may be required due to changes in the Sewer System annual operating budget or needs. The User Fee rates approved at the 5/14/2019 meeting for the three years were:
Residential: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
FY2020 FY2021 FY2022
Quartile #1: $ 235 $ 250 $ 275
Quartile #2: $ 350 $ 370 $ 385
Quartile #3: $ 550 $ 570 $ 585
Assessed value categories were assigned with assessed value bands, since the assessed value takes into account the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc., which parallels an estimate usage volume:
Quartile #1 applies to single family homes and condos whose current assessed value is less than $450,000.
Quartile #2 applies to single family homes and condos whose current assessed value is between $450,000 and $749,999.
Quartile #3 applies to single family homes and condos whose current assessed value is between $750,000 and $1,299,999.
Quartile #4 applies to single family homes and condos whose current assessed value is $1,300,000 or more.
Apartments, co-op units and multi-family units are charged as Quartile #2 sewer users for each apartment unit.
Commercial sewer users were assigned to a flat User Fee rate category, or Special Mixed Use category for mixed use properties, for FY 2021. The User Fee was set at the 6/09/2020 meeting. Based on the Sewer System’s annual operating budget and needs, the Board of Finance has recommended that Usage Fees increase approximately 2% from the current fiscal year. The proposed rates for FY 2022 are:
Commercial: Current Proposed
FY2021 FY2022
|
Category #1 |
$ 765 |
$ 780 |
|
Category #2 |
$ 1,275 |
$ 1,300 |
|
Category #3 |
$ 2,550 |
$ 2,600 |
|
Category #4 |
$ 3,570 |
$ 3,640 |
|
Category #5 |
$ 5,100 |
$ 5,200 |
|
Category #6 |
$10,000 |
$10,200 |
|
* Commercial / Business |
$ 255 |
$ 260 |
* Commercial/Business Condominiums are assessed a base rate. Occupancy type may result in placement in a higher Category.
Categories for Commercial properties are based on estimated annual water consumption as measured by Aquarion
Water Company and considering such factors as estimated average daily occupancy, tenant density and the nature of activities
conducted on the premises, such as food preparation, bathroom use, showers or other commercial operations.
Commercial users include commercial properties, churches, other non-profits, schools and municipal buildings.