Fitchburg conservation commission eyes stormwater rate hike, first since 2021

FITCHBURG — June 8, 2026 — Fitchburg's Resource Conservation Commission flagged a likely stormwater utility rate increase and a years-long slide in curbside recycling tonnage at its June 8 meeting. City stormwater engineer Ben told the commission the last rate hike was in 2021 and that construction costs — including pond dredging and new storm sewer work for the Simon Road and Fitzgerald Road projects — are driving a need to revisit rates; urban service area residents currently pay about $104 annually, billed quarterly. Sustainability coordinator Phil reported the city's municipal renewable electricity share has reached 42 percent, exceeding the 25-percent-by-2025 goal set in Fitchburg's 2019 Clean Energy Resolution, and that per capita fossil fuel emissions have dropped 22 percent since the 2018 baseline. Commission member Ben's recycling trend analysis showed curbside recycling tonnage from single-family households has declined even as population has grown 27 percent since 2018, prompting debate over cross-contamination, packaging reductions, and public education gaps; members discussed a citywide postcard mailing estimated at $8,000 to boost event attendance. The commission also received an update on Fitchburg's participation in the 2026 LEED for Cities cohort, which provides roughly $10,000 in free registration and certification cost offsets and targets at least a silver certification by 2027.