Syracuse Adopts Sewer Rate Ordinance
Syracuse Town Council adopted a sewer rate ordinance after a public hearing as part of its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night.
During the hearing, resident Sharon Fowler asked for what purpose the town is raising sewer rates. Council president Brian Woody explained the wastewater treatment plant is 28 years old, sewer rates haven’t been raised in 22 years and there are issues at the plant that must be addressed. The rate increase will be based on volume.
Fowler asked if the funds raised through the increase will be to rebuild or renovate the water treatment plant, to which Woody explained it will be a renovation since the clarifiers are in desperate shape.
Jim Higgins from London Witte Group, the accounting and consulting firm hired by the town, explained that inside town/outside town residents were charged different rates at one time, but it only affected 29 outside town residents. Higgins explained the rates will be the same for everyone since they have to be fair and equitable for all taxpayers.
Responding to questions from councilman Larry Siegel asked about Turkey Creek Township residents, Higgins explained the township is on a 40-year contract and the rate ordinance does not define when or how a contract between the town and a large volume user is negotiated.
Fowler suggested building a new plant since the clarifiers will cost $250,000 to replace. Woody explained the entire project is expected to cost $2.3 million over two to three years.
The council also adopted authorizing revenue bonds not to exceed $3 million for the project. The council elected to suspend the rules and adopt the bond ordinance on second reading at this month’s meeting rather than during the May town council meeting.
The bonds will be for one to two years and be put up for public sale. Already three local banks have expressed interest.
As part of his report, public works superintendent Jeremy Sponseller reported Triad and Associates has been selected to develop a preliminary engineering report for the wastewater treatment plant project. He also requested the council sign a document stating it has a project that may be eligible for state revenue funding. The document just puts the town on a list for consideration, it does not obligate the town to anything.
There was also discussion on updated cost estimates on Front Street needing to be repaired as there were four water main breaks this past winter.
The council also approved an ordinance adopting designated one way streets in Oakwood Park and an annexation request from Robert and Paula Wicker. The annexation ordinance will be adopted at next month’s meeting.
(For a more in-depth account of the meeting, see today’s issue of The Mail-Journal.)