Manchester To See Water Bills Increase
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jen [email protected]
Wednesday night at its regular meeting, the North Manchester Town Council approved an ordinance to increase water rates in order to increase operating balances and prepare for the upcoming water treatment plant project.
The average bill in town currently is $6 and will increase to $8.40.[[In-content Ad]]The council had two versions of the ordinance to consider Wednesday, and chose to approve the version with no surcharge for fire protection. The proposed surcharge was $2.60 per month.
Council member Laura Rager said since the fire protection already was budgeted for next year, the surcharge should be left off.
Council member Chris Garber said town residents are taking a hit now and will take another one when the rate increases again, so he didn't feel the surcharge was appropriate.
The water rate is expected to rise again next year when the water treatment project begins.
In other business, the council:
n Approved a motion to support repairing the pool facility. The council agreed to help fund mechanical and electrical repairs to the facility, but said that any addition to the building will have to be paid for with a fundraiser or other means.
n Heard that bids to clean up the Speicher building are coming in. The council approved a motion to allow a maximum of $40,000 for the cleanup project, but town manager Dan Hannaford said he does not expect it to cost that much.
n Heard that the roofing project for the back of The Firehouse will begin soon. A bid from Troy Eads was accepted for the project.
n Approved the first reading of a salary ordinance. The ordinance increases salaries 3 percent and reflects the minimum wage increase.
n Heard that Shannon Carter passed his certification test.
Wednesday night at its regular meeting, the North Manchester Town Council approved an ordinance to increase water rates in order to increase operating balances and prepare for the upcoming water treatment plant project.
The average bill in town currently is $6 and will increase to $8.40.[[In-content Ad]]The council had two versions of the ordinance to consider Wednesday, and chose to approve the version with no surcharge for fire protection. The proposed surcharge was $2.60 per month.
Council member Laura Rager said since the fire protection already was budgeted for next year, the surcharge should be left off.
Council member Chris Garber said town residents are taking a hit now and will take another one when the rate increases again, so he didn't feel the surcharge was appropriate.
The water rate is expected to rise again next year when the water treatment project begins.
In other business, the council:
n Approved a motion to support repairing the pool facility. The council agreed to help fund mechanical and electrical repairs to the facility, but said that any addition to the building will have to be paid for with a fundraiser or other means.
n Heard that bids to clean up the Speicher building are coming in. The council approved a motion to allow a maximum of $40,000 for the cleanup project, but town manager Dan Hannaford said he does not expect it to cost that much.
n Heard that the roofing project for the back of The Firehouse will begin soon. A bid from Troy Eads was accepted for the project.
n Approved the first reading of a salary ordinance. The ordinance increases salaries 3 percent and reflects the minimum wage increase.
n Heard that Shannon Carter passed his certification test.
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