Norwich – The Board of Public Utilities Commissioners will hold public hearings Tuesday on proposals to raise municipal water rates by 23.3 percent and sewer rates by 12.3 percent.

The commission's regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will recess for the public hearings on all four Norwich Public Utilities divisions at 7 p.m., NPU spokesman Chris Riley said. The meeting will be held at NPU headquarters at 16 S. Golden St. Parking is available along the street and in a nearby parking lot at the corner of South Golden and North Main streets.

NPU General Manager John Bilda in March presented preliminary budgets to commissioners totaling a combined $92.7 million. Customer utility rates for each division vary greatly, with electric rates proposed to drop by 4.3 percent and natural gas rates to remain stable.

If the commission approves the budget, it would be included in the city final budget approved by the City Council in June, and the new proposed rates would take effect July 1.