$310 water/sewer bills a reality in Roosevelt
Households using more than 12,000 gallons bimonthly to pay more
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

ROOSEVELT - The borough's water/sewer rates are rising again.

The Borough Council voted to pass an ordinance at its June 28 meeting that will increase the bimonthly base water/sewer rate for residences and houses of worship from $298 to $310. The ordinance also sets a per-gallon, consumption-based excess-use rate, meaning that residents using more than 12,000 gallons per pay period will have to pay additional fees.

Those who use more than 12,000 gallons in two months will be charged 8/10 of a cent for each additional gallon they use, according to Councilman and utilities Chairman Robert Silverstein. The new ordinance reduces the base usage limit from 20,000 gallons per pay period to 12,000 gallons.

Borough Chief Financial Officer George Lang said that 44 percent of the borough's ratepayers will be affected by the additional per-gallon charges during peak water usage months, which include summertime months. In off-peak usage months, he estimated that about 36 percent of ratepayers would be affected by the added per-gallon cost.

Silverstein said, "Rather than increase the basic rate for everyone, the increase is for those who use more, and makes it more equitable."

Resident Jack Rindt asked the council why people who use less than 12,000 gallons every two months couldn't pay less.

Councilman Daniel Hoffman said that when the borough looked at the possibility of lowering the base water/sewer rate, it discovered it would not be able to meet its water/sewer budget.

"With this ordinance, we're hoping to meet the [water/sewer] budget," Hoffman said.

Lang said if some households did not exceed the 12,000-gallon limit, the borough would not be able to raise enough funds to cover the water/sewer budget.

Silverstein said the water service portion of the budget is actually lower than the sewer service portion. He said residents are paying for a $2 million loan the borough used to finish work at the sewer plant.

The new ordinance also changes the base rate for commercial establishments, including restaurants, to $508. Farms with livestock will now have to pay a base rate of $374, and other buildings, studios, shops or structures that have had sewer service extended to them from the residence will have to pay a $118 base rate, according to the ordinance.

Under the provisions of the new ordinance, starting July 1, the Roosevelt Public School will pay a bimonthly base rate of $620 for up to 24,000 gallons and will have to pay 8/10 of a cent for any gallon used over that amount.

Councilwoman Arlene Stinson reminded residents that it is important for residents to conserve water.