There will be no increase to the yearly fee charged to town sewer users this year, fiscal year 2012. On Tuesday, the Board of Selectmen set the sewer rate at $596 per year, the same as last year, at the recommendation of Water Pollution Control Facility Director Guy Campinha.

Sewer user fees support the cost of operating and maintaining the treatment plant. The sewer plant is funded from an "enterprise fund," meant to operate solely on the fees paid by sewer users, according to Town Administrator Mark Andrews.

“This is a good thing. It shows Mr. Campinha is maintaining stability,” Andrews said.

Since taking the director position in September, Campinha vowed to get a handle on total operating costs and investigate ways to save money to avoid increases. Campinha said he views the treatment plant as a business and it is paying off.

“I don’t see a need to raise [rates] at this time. We are saving and I’d like to pass that savings along to our customers,” Campinha said.

Campinha said he has implemented a number of cost-saving measures to maintain the rate, including looking for better rates on the chemicals used for water treatment, cutting travel costs associated with employee education by training in-house, and not hiring outside companies to complete work as often.

His cost-saving measures did not go unnoticed by the Selectmen.

“I appreciate that you are looking at cost saving ... especially in this economy,” said Selectman Ellen Begley.

While cost will remain the same, sewer users will receive something extra along with their bill. The Selectmen granted Campinha permission to include a pamphlet addressing grease concerns. Disposal of grease contributes to build-up in sewer pipes, he explained.

“We have a lot of grease out there,” Campinha told the board.

Campinha said he is hoping to establish a grease policy in the future.

In other town business:

Mark your calendars. The Selectmen set Monday, October 24 as the start date for Fall Town Meeting. The last day to submit a petition article to the warrant is September 2.