HATFIELD — Combined sewer and water bills will rise by nearly $100 annually following rate adjustments approved by the Select Board last week.

With little discussion from the public, the board voted unanimously to move the sewer rate from $9.34 per 100 cubic feet to $10.27 per 100 cubic feet, and the water rate from $4.91 per 100 cubic feet to $5.40 per 100 cubic feet.

David Prickett, president of DPC Engineering LLC of Longmeadow, explained that the changes are needed to support sewer and water capital projects already approved by voters.

“The rates just basically reflect the implementation of projects on both sides that residents have authorized,” Prickett said.

The sewer rate change will mean about $60 more for the typical customer, or $5 per month. The water rate change will mean another $38 per year, or just over $3 per month.

Prickett said the town is not going to be building reserves from the rising rates.

“The increase in the budget is strictly related to the increase in operating costs and debt service," Prickett said.

That debt service includes about $11 million in treatment plant upgrades that is in the design phase, with construction in the next two years, and mortgage payments for a project which is receiving a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan. 

On the water side, there are transmission system upgrades on a system that need to be covered.

A study previously completed suggests further adjustments, including bumping the sewer rate to $11.96 per 100 cubic feet, and the water to $6.32 per 100 cubic feet, next year.

Pickleball courts, new restaurant

In other business, the Select Board appeared supportive of pickleball courts that will be built in town, likely near the Hatfield Elementary School.

The board received a presentation on the plans from resident Julie Pokela, which the Recreation Commission is sponsoring. Currently, pickleball is done indoors at Hatfield Elementary School with a roster of 136 people.

The courts would be built between the elementary school and Lions Club pavilion, Pokela said the estimate, with inflation, is $128,000 that would construct four courts and a tennis court. The project would be paid for with Community Preservation Act money.

Recreation Commission member Danielle Stanisewski said the precise location is to be determined. Select Board Chairwoman Diana Szynal said there can be no infringement on space used for the annual bonfire, or on parking.

“Behind HES is probably the best location out of what we have for space,” Stanisewski said.

The board also approved an all-alcohol beverages license for Heritage Tavern, LLC at 127 Elm St., a new restaurant to be run by owner Teri Anderson and manager Mark Pinkham. That is the former of Grill 'N Chill, Smithsonian Grill and Bar and, most recently, Legacy Craft Smokehouse.

“So essentially what we want to do in the establishment is create American cooking and create good food,” said Anderson, who has run restaurants for her hometown of Enfield, Connecticut. “Good pizza, good food, a place for the community to go.”

Anderson said Heritage Tavern could be open as soon as January.

“There’s been a lot of success out of that building, and I hope you have success,” said board member Ed Jaworski.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>