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Wellsville Council considers water rate increase By
Karina Fain WELLSVILLE -- Possible water rate increases were the focus of a public hearing Wednesday night with the City Council. The city is considering raising culinary water rates about $3 per month to pay for replacing 19 blocks of old and undersized lines. City Manager Don Hartle said new state regulations require 8-inch lines to be used, and some blocks only have 2- or 6-inch lines. Hartle said the concern is having access to adequate water to put out a fire. Resident Bevan Higbee told the council that he did not agree with an increase in water rates. He said it was a poor type of tax against an individual, and that Wellsville's water rates were already among the highest in the valley. Councilman Ron Case said Wellsville ranked ninth of 13 Cache Valley communities on water fees. "If the fire department has enough hose to reach these areas in case of a fire, do we really need to replace the line?" Higbee asked. He suggested a pressurized water system to provide the water. State regulations require fire hydrants to be placed every 500 feet, but Hartle said the concern was the amount of water that could pass through a 2-inch line compared to an 8-inch line. "Every minute you can save in case of a fire makes a difference," said Dave Bigelow, fire captain in Paradise. He said new lines could mean the difference between a 6-minute response time to douse the fire and a 12-minute response time. Hartle suggested another option, a possible increase in overage charges to help cover costs of replacing the lines. Residents using more than the base amount of water would be charged an additional five cents for every 1,000 gallons. "I saw someone buy a bottle of water at the convenience store for $1, and we charge 60 cents per 1,000 gallons," Hartle said. Case said increasing overage would make those that use the water pay for it. Not all residents were against the rate increase. "Three dollars is fine to me," Ray Bingham said. "One of the reasons we're looking at this right now is because of the low rates right now," Mayor Ruth P. Maughan said. With current rates, the city could get a loan that would save on interest expenses. Maughan asked that the discussion be continued in a public hearing on Dec.18 because of the low number of residents who turned out for the meeting. City newsletters were sent out late, so residents did not receive notice of the hearing until Wednesday afternoon.
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