Government, News

Ordinance to raise sewer rates receives first reading

REEDSVILLE — The first reading of an ordinance to raise sewer rates was held Monday by Reedsville Council.

The ordinance includes the new sewer rates that will go into effect once the State Public Service Commission (PSC) order that allowed Masontown to increase its rates to Reedsville is final.
The new rates for customers with metered water supply will be: First 3,000 gallons $25.98 per 1,000 gallons; next 3,000 gallons, $23.95 per 1,000 gallons; next 4,000 gallons, $20.20 per 1,000 gallons; next 10,000 gallons, $17.73 per 1,000 gallons; next 20,000 gallons, $16.06 per 1,000 gallons.

No bill will be rendered for less than $77.94 per month.

The unmetered rate is $104.29 per month, equivalent to 4,100 gallons usage for residential customers. In the event the water supply is unmetered or otherwise unmeasurable, the unmetered rate will be charged.

A leak adjustment rate of $16.02 per 1,000 gallons used will be applied when a bill reflects unusual consumption that can be attributed to water leakage on the customer’s side of the meter. The rate will apply to all unusual consumption above the customer’s historical average usage when approved.

A 10 percent penalty will be added to all charges not paid within 20 days from the date of billing.

When water service has been disconnected for nonpayment of sewer bills, a sewer service disconnection fee of $20 will be charged. When water service that has been previously disconnected or withheld for nonpayment of sewer bills is reconnected, a reconnection fee of $20 will be charged.

A fee of $20 will be charged for returned checks.

A security deposit of $75 or 2/12 of the average usage of the applicant’s customer class will be required as a security deposit.

In other business Monday:
Council voted to buy an APX 7000 portable radio for the police officer. The cost of the radio is $1,500. Officer Paul Rowan will graduate from the State Police Academy on July 20, according to Mayor Jason Titus.

Council voted to accept a $5,000 bid from Arnold’s Family Tree Service to trim the big tree next to town hall and remove the stump and tree at the corner of the four-way intersection. The tree service will also chip the branches and remove all the wood.