The recent water-rate increase in Auburn could be trickling down, or actually up, through Sennett to force the village of Weedsport to raise its rates, as well.
Weedsport buys its water from Sennett, which buys its water from Auburn, whose city council members voted 4-0 on Dec. 21 to raise the rate for city residents from $1 to $1.15 per 100 cubic feet and the rate for users outside the city from $1.05 to $1.2075.
Sandra Kreplin, clerk/treasurer in Weedsport, said Sennett charges Weedsport the same rate Auburn charges Sennett. The only difference is that Sennett charges Weedsport an additional fee to use its pipes to ship the water northwest underground.
"Auburn's rates will influence the increase, but the transportation fee represents the bulk of it," Kreplin said.
A public forum is scheduled during the village board meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Residents will be able to ask questions and speak their minds on the subject. Rates are proposed to be increased from $2.50 to $2.90 per 1,000 gallons within the village. The board could vote on the issue following the forum.
Kreplin said she's been in talks with Sennett officials and she expects a 78-percent change in the water transportation charges to be enacted later this spring.
"So we have to get the money somehow to pay for the increase," Kreplin said.
Mayor Jean Saroodis said she hasn't been able to gauge public reaction to the proposed hike.
"I've heard absolutely nothing so far," she said. "Nobody likes to raise rates, but sometimes it's a necessity."
Kreplin said maintenance costs for pipes and meters have contributed to the increase Sennett has proposed. She said there are more costs associated with community water today than there ever have before, citing increased maintenance, rising chlorine prices, testing and storage facilities.
Weedsport had lowered water rates in 2003 from $2.20 to $2, but had to raise them in February of 2004 from $2 to $2.50. Kreplin said it would cost the village millions of dollars to install pipes to tap water directly from Auburn.
Staff writer Benning W. De La Mater can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or ben.delamater@lee.net
Sandra Kreplin, clerk/treasurer in Weedsport, said Sennett charges Weedsport the same rate Auburn charges Sennett. The only difference is that Sennett charges Weedsport an additional fee to use its pipes to ship the water northwest underground.
"Auburn's rates will influence the increase, but the transportation fee represents the bulk of it," Kreplin said.
A public forum is scheduled during the village board meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Residents will be able to ask questions and speak their minds on the subject. Rates are proposed to be increased from $2.50 to $2.90 per 1,000 gallons within the village. The board could vote on the issue following the forum.
Kreplin said she's been in talks with Sennett officials and she expects a 78-percent change in the water transportation charges to be enacted later this spring.
"So we have to get the money somehow to pay for the increase," Kreplin said.
Mayor Jean Saroodis said she hasn't been able to gauge public reaction to the proposed hike.
"I've heard absolutely nothing so far," she said. "Nobody likes to raise rates, but sometimes it's a necessity."
Kreplin said maintenance costs for pipes and meters have contributed to the increase Sennett has proposed. She said there are more costs associated with community water today than there ever have before, citing increased maintenance, rising chlorine prices, testing and storage facilities.
Weedsport had lowered water rates in 2003 from $2.20 to $2, but had to raise them in February of 2004 from $2 to $2.50. Kreplin said it would cost the village millions of dollars to install pipes to tap water directly from Auburn.
Staff writer Benning W. De La Mater can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or ben.delamater@lee.net
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