Borough Council Meeting Minutes

July 17, 2000

A special work session meeting was held to discuss the proposed water ordinance and water rates. The following were in attendance: William Pawlak, Bob Manahan, Bill Thompson, Dan Dunham, Linda Abrams, Lisa Robinson – Rocket Courier, Dave Hindman, Phyllis Sturdevant, Janet Bouse, Joe Keeney and Elaine Shirk.

We want to be prepared to bill for water, using meters, the 4th quarter of 2000. In order to bill using the meters the Water Ordinance needed to be rewritten. Dave had copies of Wyalusing, Towanda and Dushore’s water ordinances. He has prepared a draft copy of a Water Ordinance using these as a guide. At this work sessions the following needed to be discussed and decided by the Council:

· Units (does this mean the building or each apartment or business)
· Water Rates
· Repair Costs
· Deposit for testing of meters (when requested by consumer)
· Residential/business (should they pay the same rates)
· What normal household use of water involves
· Turn on Charge
· How often to bill
· Written applications to have water turned off and on
· Pools – Do people need to notify Borough & get permission to fill pool
· Special Circumstances

Presently we have 106 residential accounts, which are paying using a flat rate according to the number of people living in the residence. Meter accounts range from 500 to 42000 gal. Every six months they pay a $10.00 meter fee plus 1.66 per thousand gal.

Reason for Meter: People will be paying for what they use, which will be a much more equitable.

Most towns use a flat rate plus an amount for water used:
Example: Towanda = $12.28 quarterly meter charge + $3.10 per 1,000 gal.
5,000 gal. a month would equal $58.78 a quarter
10,000 gal a month would equal $105.28 a quarter

Wyalusing: Have a different rate for residential and commercial account
Residents: $17.00 a month covers 1st 3,000 gal. $2.00 each additional 1,000 gal.
5,000 gal would equal $63.00 a quarter
10,000 gal = $93.00 a quarter
Commercial: $30.00 a month for 1st 3000 gal $2.00 each additional
1000 gal.
10,000 gal a month would equal $132.00 quarter

Dushore: = $12.00 a month up to 10,000 gal of usage $3.00 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
1,000
5,000 gal a month = $36.00 a quarter
10,000 gal a month = $36.00 a quarter

· At this work session it was decided that resident and commercial consumers should pay the same rate.

· It was decided that billing should be monthly

· Unit – would be each apartment or business. Meters for each apartment – 4 apartments would be a flat rate of $20.00 plus $2.50 per 1,000 gallons.

· Rates: Costs $20,000 a year to operate Water System. Dave’s proposal was that there be a flat rate of $5.00 a month per unit, where being used or not and $2.00 per 1000 gals. It was decided that this would not create a cushion to be used for repairs. It was decided that the rate should be $2.50 per 1,000 gal. Plus the flat rate of $5.00 per unit. The extra .50 would create $3648. This additional money would be placed in a fund to be used for repairs.

· Repair Costs: There will be a $20.00 minimum cost if the meter is broken or damaged due to the consumer.

· Testing Meters: There will be a $25.00 deposit, if a consumer desires to have his meter tested. The deposit would be returned if there were a problem with the meter but kept is the meter is registering correctly.

· Turn on Fees: For someone who has discontinued the water service there will be a fee of $20.00. If the water has been turned off because the bill wasn’t paid the turn on fee will be $40.00. There will be a $500 fee for a new service connection.

· For the water to be turned off or on by the Council, the request must be done in writing.

· Quantity – was tabled until the regular Council Meeting.

· Normal Household usage: Watering your garden, yard, washing your own car, regular household chores (laundry, dishes, etc.)

· Pools: Over 10,000 gallons, consumer will need to get permission from the Council to fill.
i
· Special Circumstances: Bruce Johnson has water going to barn for horses. The decision was made to charge him for 1,000 gallons or he has the option to put a meter in a pit to measure the water going to the barn.

Elaine Shirk
July 17, 2000