Inn: Hike violates ‘principles of fairness and equity’
The Washington Town Council voted 4-1 Monday to approve an increase in water and sewer rates for town customers, despite arguments from The Inn at Little Washington over fairness and legality.
“The question that I would ask that you will consider before you go any further this evening … is whether the price increase is reasonable and in compliance with the laws of this commonwealth. I do not believe it is when you place a 25% public utilities fee increase for one single customer,” said David Silek, an attorney representing the inn, during the public hearing. “We would ask that you table this discussion, talk to interested stakeholders to see if a reasonable accommodation and agreement can be made.”
The town proposed to increase the base sewer rate from $48 to $56, which covers up to 3,000 gallons a month, and increase the “accelerator rate” to $28 for every 1,000 above that. Water rates will increase from $27 to $32 a month for the base rate — also up to 3,000 gallons — and to $13 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
Mayor Joe Whited said the town has been incurring a $33,000 deficit for several years, pulling from the town’s “rainy day fund” to cover the loss.
“Over the last four years, roughly speaking, we have managed to run somewhat on the surplus … it’s just that we keep transferring money from our general revenue to cover these deficits, and, frankly, artificially keep the rates low,” Whited said at the council’s February meeting when the increase was first introduced.
Silek said the rate increases would disproportionately affect the inn, and account for an additional $32,000 on its bill. “I believe that is somewhat in violation of the principles of fairness and equity — if you have a $33,000 deficit — and you’re asking one entity basically to make up a minimum of $32,000 based on current usage,” he said.
Whited said the inn is not the only user that exceeds 3,000 gallons of water each billing cycle, and Town Administrator Barbara Batson said 26 users exceed the base limit. Whited explained that the town’s costs for water and sewer are continually increasing and “are certainly not going to get better” when the town has to upgrade its water and sewer system, an infrastructure project that is on the horizon.
“I think that it meets the standard for being fair and equitable,” Whited said.
Town Council member Patrick O’Connell, owner and proprietor of the inn, introduced a motion to table the issue until the legal concerns could be explored, which failed in a 3-3 deadlock vote.
During continued discussion, Town Attorney Martin Crim said he did not hear anything in Silek’s remarks that caused him “great concern.”
Whited later made a motion to pass the rate increases, amending both to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026 rather than July of this year to give time for residents to prepare for the additional cost. He also motioned to add a clause in each that would require the council review rates each year. O’Connell was the only dissenting vote.
