Dundee approves water rate increases

DUNDEE--The Dundee board of trustees voted to approve new water rate increases during their regular meeting Tuesday, April 14. The new rates will be applied to bills produced after May 31. Trustee Judy Duquette said the increases are a measure to help pay for the village's new water tower and will go away once it is paid for.
According to the village, the average Dundee family of four to five who uses 15,000 gallons per quarter will see a 15.3 percent increase in their water rates, amounting to an average $14.33 in additional costs beginning at the end of May.
"Unit charges will be based on metered service size per quarter, whether the service is on or off," Duquette said. Trustee Greg Wright said most residents in the village have a 5/8-inch service to their homes. Duquette said a meter size of 5/8-inch to 3/4-inch is considered to be one unit, which will cost $13.58 per quarter. She said a one-inch meter is considered two units at a cost of $27.16, a two-inch meter service is eight units at a cost of $108.64, a three-inch meter is considered 10.25 units at a cost of $139.20, and a six-inch meter is 23.25 units at a cost of $315.74. These meter costs were not previously charged to village residents.
Duquette said consumption charges for each 1,000 gallons of water a quarter will also increase from $6.25 to $6.30. She said this is "in lieu of raising the water rate so drastically, as we figured this is the more fair way to pay for the cost of the new water tower." Duquette said once the water tower is paid for, the new rates will go away.
In other business:
• The board approved the village budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year following a public hearing. Village Clerk Christine Sutherland said the tax levy will be $544,003, an increase of 3.11 percent over last year. She said this increase is right at the tax cap allowed by the state.
• The village adopted a local law allowing them to award purchase contracts on the basis of best value following a public hearing.
• Lady-in-Waiting Elizabeth Dillon, of the Highlander and Lady Scot competition, addressed the board about the possibility of installing wheelchair swings at the playground at Millard Park, along with a cement path to the swing for easier access. She said she plans to look into grants and other funding options for the swings, which range from $2,000 and up. Dillon added she would like to fundraise for the project and would also like to work toward having one put in at the school as well.
• Fran Willis updated the board about possibly relocating the Scottish Festival to the village streets this year, adding she spoke with many businesses about whether they thought it was a good idea.
"Not one business [we interviewed] said they did not think it was a good idea," Willis said. "There were overwhelmingly very positive statements that were made."
Willis said there would be ample parking in the village, adding she needs to get in touch with the New York State Troopers about traffic control during the event.
"Since it's almost like a new festival, we have a lot of new decisions to make," Willis said.