Montour increases sewer rates 19.8 percent

    MONTOUR FALLS—The Montour Falls village board increased the sewer rate for residents per 1,000 gallons by 19.8 percent, Monday, June 20.
    The board increased the sewer rate to $3.62 per 1,000 gallons. Mayor John King said this is up from $3.02 per 1,000 gallons. He explained the village wants to build up the sewer fund balance because work will need to be done in the future.
    Clerk Suzanne Casselberry explained each household also pays a debt service charge based on total water usage in one year. She said the village measures total usage in units (48,000 gallons each). Casselberry added residents pay for at least half a unit regardless of how little is used. The board decreased the annual cost for one unit to $98.35. King said the previous cost was $104.
Before voting, the village board held a public hearing, but there were no comments.
    In other business: The board approved the sale of the Jeep Cherokee to the town of Montour for $500.
    • Betsy Preston told the board about littering and nighttime visitors to Deckertown Falls, off of Catlin Street. She said despite her attempts to clean garbage from the road, there are a lot of litterers. She added people go to the falls at night to drink. King said the village would start by looking into getting a garbage can, street lighting, and some monitoring down Catlin Street.
    • King said he wanted the board to create a sidewalk repair program, where residents have an incentive to repair their sidewalks. He added he would ask board member Ellen Mathers to look into it.
    • The board approved buying four dog waste disposal stations. King said each costs around $200, depending on if a waste reciprocal is needed. He explained each station includes a dispenser with bags to clean up dog waste. King suggested one be put at the She-Qua-Ga Falls, and that the “No dogs allowed” sign be taken down from there.
    • The village marina was approved to buy a swing set.
    • The board approved entering in a program with New York State Electric and Gas to replace lighting at the village hall. King said NYSEG would cover 70 percent, or $604, of the total cost. He added the village would be responsible for $257.