Montour increases sewer rates 27.9 percent

Montour increases sewer rates 27.9 percent

    MONTOUR FALLS—The water and sewer rates per 1,000 gallons of water in Montour Falls will increase.
    The village board approved the changes, Thursday, June 21. Clerk Suzanne Casselberry explained water rates will increase from $3.77 per 1,000 gallons of water to $4.35, or 15 percent. The sewer rates will also increase from $3.62 per thousand to $4.63, or 27.9 percent. The changes were based on water usage.
    At the same time, the board approved a decrease in the annual base unit charge. Casselberry explained each year a residence is charged a certain number of base units per usage. The cost of one unit decreased from $98.35 to $53.96. She explained this cost is based on the debt repayment from sewer work. Casselberry said the debt decreased so the unit cost decreased.
    The board also approved Montour Falls to participate in a grant application to the Regional Economic Development Councils with Watkins Glen. The two villages are applying for $1 million to design and construct a new wastewater treatment facility shared between Watkins and Montour.
    During public comment, the board was asked if they were still interested in creating an inter-municipal water district, involving Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen International, and several towns. Mayor John King said the village is, but will be focusing on the sewer study with Watkins Glen now. He added one concern is Montour Falls can’t verify how much water is being used in the district. There were a number of large businesses that needed to update their meters to more accurately measure water use. King said the village couldn’t make the businesses do that because the village didn’t own the meters.
    In other business: The village is considering hiring the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office or the Watkins Glen Police Department to have a bailiff at village court. Discussion also extended to paying for a more consistent presence in Montour Falls. Board member Jim Howell said the sheriff offers a part-time person for $15 per hour at court, but if part-time is unavailable Montour would have to pay for full-time at $40 per hour. The police off a part-time officer for $16 per hour. Howell added Watkins can guarantee more having a part-time person available. Montour Falls board members will meet with both the sheriff and police chief.
    • Fire Chief Jeff Confer reported the department is training 20 new members.
    • King reported bids for the gateway improvement project will be opened July 10. He said four contractors picked up project specifications.
    The next Montour Falls village board meeting is Thursday, July 19, at 7 p.m.