REEDSVILLE — A proposed upcoming sewer rate hike was the topic of discussion at this week’s meeting of Reedsville Council.
Mayor Jason Titus said he has not received any feedback from the June 14 State Public Service Commission (PSC) hearing on the rate.
Both Reedsville and Masontown agreed to accept a PSC staff proposal regarding the rate hike. Masontown originally asked the Public Service Commission to allow it to increase Reedsville and Arthurdale customers’ bills by 221 percent.
Reedsville, in turn, filed a complaint, calling it a discriminatory ordinance against Masontown because the rate hike did not affect its other customers.
Reedsville Council members indicated they would have to increase sewer bills by a minimum of 45 percent. The current metered rate is $50.61. The new estimated metered rate would be $73.78. The unmetered rate for Arthurdale customers is currently $67.72, and the estimated unmetered rate would increase to $98.92.
The rate hike is due to a raise in inflow and infiltration (I&I), 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. Masontown said because of the infiltrating water, it is treating much more than it is being paid to do.
Titus said the town will hold a public meeting before the rate hike goes into effect. “The citizens will have the right to speak against it. They’ll state their case,” he said. “We have a lot of documentation on what we have and what we can do. It will be us against our citizens.”
Titus said the town would “just break even,” with the 45 percent hike.
“We’ll have to raise our rates over the 45 percent we have to pay Masontown,” he said. “Once we lower our I&I we can ask Masontown to lower the charges.”
In other Monday business, council tabled a decision about which portable radio to purchase for its police officer. Council went into executive session to discuss personnel work duties.
