Select Board Approves 7% Sewer Rate Hike, Beach Wi-Fi
Manchester-by-the-Sea's Select Board approved a 7 percent sewer rate increase and a private Wi-Fi vendor for Singing Beach.
Select Board · Meeting of August 3, 2026
Manchester-by-the-Sea's Select Board approved a 7 percent sewer rate increase and a private Wi-Fi vendor for Singing Beach. Town Administrator Antonio Barletta said the state Department of Environmental Protection called the town's new curbside trash program "exemplary and could be a model for other communities," though DEP wants it formalized before releasing a grant worth roughly $30 per 35-gallon barrel, an estimated $60,000. The board voted 4-0, with Jeffrey Delaney absent, to approve a $25 fee abatement for seniors downsizing recycling barrels and to approve WiFi-by-the-Sea LLC's seasonal hotspot, capped at about 100 users.
Members also appointed Rob Beatty and Chris Thomas to a new Ranked Choice Voting Study Committee, with terms extended to June 30, 2027, and Stephanie Hendry and Kara White to the Sustainability Committee. Vice Chair Catherine Bilotta flagged an unusual requirement that condo unit owners, not just trustees, sign a 10 Church Street registration document, calling it not standard practice.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,836 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Manchester-by-the-Sea meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Manchester-by-the-Sea who follows town government? Share Townbrief Manchester-by-the-Sea: they can sign up free.