REEDSVILLE — A State Public Service Commission (PSC) hearing to discuss proposed sewer rate hikes for Reedsville and Arthurdale customers will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Craig Civic Center.
Reedsville Mayor Jason Titus told council members Monday that the PSC proposed a 45 percent increase. He said the original increase requested by Masontown was 91 percent.
Titus said the current metered rate is $50.61, and the new estimated metered rate would be $73.78. The unmetered rate is currently $67.72 and the estimated unmetered rate would increase to $98.92.
He said the “meeting is Masontown’s end of the hearing,” concerning the possible increase to Reedsville sewer customers.
The proposed hike is due to a raise in inflow and infiltration, which is storm or ground water that enters the sewer system through leaky or cracked pipes, manholes or down spouts, sump pumps or improperly connected storm drains.
Reedsville doesn’t have a sewage treatment plant. It pays Masontown a bulk rate charge for sewage treatment.
As previously published, Masontown Mayor Roxie Turner said her town is not being paid for treating the storm water.
Masontown wants to be paid based on the actual number of gallons that come through the Reedsville line to the sewer plant. Titus said anyone who wished to speak at the hearing could do so.
Reedsville resident Greg Burke told council he believes the high rate will discourage people from buying homes in the Reedsville and Arthurdale areas. He asked Titus if there would be a reevaluation of rates after the infiltration problem is addressed?
Titus said he did not believe there would be a reevaluation but would add this question to a list of others he is presenting to town attorney Mark Gaydos. He said both Gaydos and the town’s accountant said council should accept the PSC rate because “it would be a waste of time and money to try to get a lower rate.”
Titus said the town has received a loan that will repair most of the problem.
“I would like to have a yearly review and see if the increase can be lowered,” he said. “By mid-July the problem in Arthurdale will be fixed.”
“What about the people on a fixed income? This is going to kill them,” Councilman Scott Williams said.
