Town of Elma water customers have not had a rate increase the last three years, but that is about to change.
Though not by much.
The increase as of Feb. 1 will average about 35 cents every three months.
Water Superintendent Eugene F. Stevenson told the Town Board at its work session last week that the rates for water purchased from the Erie County Water Authority went up as of Dec. 1 but that he is not passing the increase on to customers until Feb. 1.
The Water Authority has increased the cost of water to the town in the past, but the town has chosen to absorb the increase until now.
The rate is up by 2 percent, or 4 cents per 1,000 gallons. Stevenson said 62 percent of Elma residents pay less than the minimum, or about $18.
This increase does not include a surcharge that has been added every summer for the last few years. The town absorbed that cost, too.
In other board business:
• Building Inspector Joseph P. Colern reported that the Springbrook Shores patio home development off Rice Road is 83 percent complete and that the town is considering taking over its sewer plant, which would be the fifth sewer district in town.
The Town already has the workers necessary to take on the new district. The move is expected to bring the other districts’ costs down. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is the ultimate overseer of the districts.
There are 126 homes completed in the development, which will be considered full when the number reaches 152. The town will divide the expenses of the district by the number of homes each year.
• The board is expected to approve the single bid received from DeLacy Ford for a 2014 Ford Escape for the Building Department at a cost of less than $20,000. The bid will take eight to 10 weeks for delivery.
• The board agreed to get Elma VFW Post Commander Frederick Strief’s input regarding a Blue Star Memorial Plaque to be placed in a boulder in the veterans’ memorial in front of the Town Hall. Elaine A. DiPietro told the board that the Countryside Garden Club of Elma will plant flowers when the plaque is in place. The plaque has a blue star on it, honoring the Armed Forces. The town will pay for the plaque.
DiPietro said several surrounding communities have similar plaques.
Though not by much.
The increase as of Feb. 1 will average about 35 cents every three months.
Water Superintendent Eugene F. Stevenson told the Town Board at its work session last week that the rates for water purchased from the Erie County Water Authority went up as of Dec. 1 but that he is not passing the increase on to customers until Feb. 1.
The Water Authority has increased the cost of water to the town in the past, but the town has chosen to absorb the increase until now.
The rate is up by 2 percent, or 4 cents per 1,000 gallons. Stevenson said 62 percent of Elma residents pay less than the minimum, or about $18.
This increase does not include a surcharge that has been added every summer for the last few years. The town absorbed that cost, too.
In other board business:
• Building Inspector Joseph P. Colern reported that the Springbrook Shores patio home development off Rice Road is 83 percent complete and that the town is considering taking over its sewer plant, which would be the fifth sewer district in town.
The Town already has the workers necessary to take on the new district. The move is expected to bring the other districts’ costs down. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is the ultimate overseer of the districts.
There are 126 homes completed in the development, which will be considered full when the number reaches 152. The town will divide the expenses of the district by the number of homes each year.
• The board is expected to approve the single bid received from DeLacy Ford for a 2014 Ford Escape for the Building Department at a cost of less than $20,000. The bid will take eight to 10 weeks for delivery.
• The board agreed to get Elma VFW Post Commander Frederick Strief’s input regarding a Blue Star Memorial Plaque to be placed in a boulder in the veterans’ memorial in front of the Town Hall. Elaine A. DiPietro told the board that the Countryside Garden Club of Elma will plant flowers when the plaque is in place. The plaque has a blue star on it, honoring the Armed Forces. The town will pay for the plaque.
DiPietro said several surrounding communities have similar plaques.