Jaffrey is anticipating about a 5% increase in its sewer rate for the coming year, while the water rate will remain flat.

During a review of long-term planning for the budgeting for the utilities during its meeting on Nov. 25, the Select Board discussed rate changes with Superintendent of Utilities Tony Cavaliere.

The sewer rate, effective Jan. 1, 2025, will remain flat for the first 1,000 gallons of usage at $14.99. For every 100 gallons after that, the price will be rising, from its current $2.27 per 100 gallons to $2.39 per 100 gallons.

The water rate will remain level with its current rate for 2025. The rate is $11.36 for the first 1,000 gallons of usage, with an additional $1.46 per 100 gallons after that.

Cavaliere said the biggest cost driver for the sewer rate is the upcoming work downtown to install roundabouts at the five-way stop at the intersection of Route 124 and Route 202, and the roundabout on River Street.

“We are on the hook for, essentially, the engineering costs for moving water and sewer lines in that downtown area where the roundabouts are going,” Cavaliere said.

Cavaliere explained that some of the costs will be paid for by the state, and some by the town. He said the state is responsible for moving any lines that are within the town’s right-of-way, and the town is responsible for those in right-of-ways owned by the state.

“We pay in their right of way, they pay for ours. The thought being, any lines in their road are our problem, because we put them there,” explained Town Manager Jon Frederick. “Any lines they have to move that we put in our own roads, because they have to move them, they have to pay for them.”

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172. Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.