Lexington Select Board Approves 3.4 Percent Water and Sewer Rate Increase for FY26

LEXINGTON -- November 3, 2025, Lexington Select Board unanimously approves a 3.4 percent combined water and sewer rate increase for fiscal year 2026. The board, chaired by Jill Hai, voted Monday to adopt the final proposed FY26 rates after Assistant Town Manager for Finance Carolyn Kosnoff presented a minor revision: corrected consumption data for the town of Bedford lowered the water rate increase from the originally proposed 3.5 percent to 3.3 percent, yielding a blended 3.4 percent combined increase projected to add roughly $36.40 annually for the average Lexington household. Kosnoff noted Lexington remains in the lower half of MWRA peer communities by total water and sewer cost. The board then took unanimous yes positions on three Special Town Meeting 25-2 articles, including a $934,782 appropriation into the capital stabilization fund raised from the tax levy, a set of net reductions to the FY26 operating budget including a Minuteman Regional High School assessment cut from $3,606,312 to $3,569,482, and increases to three departmental revolving funds totaling more than $155,000 in new spending authority. Member Doug Lucente changed his previously withheld position on Article 8 to a no, which he was set to state formally on the Town Meeting floor immediately following adjournment.