Florence eyes water, sewer fee increases

By Stephanie Prokop
   FLORENCE — Township Council was expected to vote on an ordinance last night that would raise water and sewer rates for some township homeowners and businesses approximately 10 percent next year.
   The last time rates were raised was 2002, Township Administrator Richard Brook said Wednesday. Rate increases would take effect in February if the ordinance is passed.
   ”Basically, by the time the rates would increase, it would be about a seven-year gap without a raise,” he said.
   The township bills homeowners and businesses for water and sewer use on a quarterly basis. Those using 9,000 gallons of water or less per quarter would not be affected by the increase, nor would senior citizens, Mr. Brook said.
   The current average bill for a household using 12,000 gallons of water — the average quarterly amount — is about $39, Mr. Brook said. After the projected increase, this would rise to about $43. The sewer fee is expected to increase from $47 to approximately $52 per quarter for the average user, bringing the combined bill increase to about $9, Mr. Brook said.
   Households using about 15,000 gallons of water per quarter would see an increase of about $11.28 per quarter for both utilities, he said.
   Mr. Brook added that the rate for seniors, those age 65 and above, would stay fixed at $60.50 per quarter for both utilities.
   ”Council felt that since so many seniors are living on a fixed income, and often times in a one-person household, it was not appropriate to make an adjustment at this time,” he said.
   Rates are reviewed annually, and Mr. Brook said the council is diligent in trying to keep the rates down.
   ”A priority we have is just to keep the utility from going into the red, and try to keep it financially stable,” he said.
   ”We just have to continue to meet our expenses, and to make improvements,” he said, adding that the increase will go toward upgrades such as replacing water lines, and making improvements at the sewer plant.
   A public hearing was expected to take place at the Township Council meeting Wednesday night.