Water Rate Hike Approved in Belmont
Belmont Village Council this month approved a water rate change that will see customers’ bills increase by an average of $9-$11 a month.
The ordinance had been introduced during council’s Jan. 9 meeting, with Fiscal Officer Ricky Burkhead saying the village must pay 3% more for water it purchases from the Belmont County Water & Sewer District and that additional revenue is needed to fund a water meter replacement project. Council heard its second reading on Feb. 3, then voted unanimously to approve it following a third public reading on March 4.
The water rate will increase from 13.25 cents per 10 gallons to 14.25 cents, while the sewer rate will also go up from 14.75 cents to 15.75 cents per 10 gallons. A monthly fee of $7 was also added to cover the cost to replace failing water meters.
The village has about 285 meters with roughly 255 remaining to be installed over several months. The $7 fee will be eliminated after five years, after the meter replacements are completed.
Belmont residents will soon be paying more for water and sewer services after village leaders approved a rate hike this month, along with a $7 monthly fee for meter replacement. [©Barnesville Area News Company photo]
According to Burkhead, bills for customers who use 1,000 gallons of water per month will increase by $9, while those who use 2,000 gallons will see an increase of $11 per month.
The goal is for village workers to replace about five meters each month, but Service Director Kerry Kemp reported that the village had ordered five in February and received 10, so workers installed nine of them. Burkhead has said the meters cost about $400 apiece.
Ken Davis, president of the Board of Public Affairs, has said the life expectancy of the current meters throughout the community is due to expire in 2027. He added that the new meters will eliminate the need for village workers to drive around the community to receive meter readings. Instead, the new meters will send readings directly to the water department office. They also can alert water department staff to unusual usage patterns, allowing them to notify customers of potential leaks or other problems.
Additional debt service charges will still be visible on customers’ bills. A community-wide sewerage system was installed prior to 2010, and the village is still paying on loans related to the project. Burkhead said the first of those is scheduled to be paid off in 2028. Related WesBanco bonds are scheduled for payment through 2034. Prior to that project, the community relied on septic systems, and some structures released raw sewage that was not treated before flowing into the ground or streams.
Meanwhile, council heard from former Belmont County commissioner Josh Meyer, who is seeking to be elected county auditor on the Republican ticket. Meyer said, if elected, he would work to stabilize staff turnover within the auditor’s office and to restore relationships with other county officials, offices and boards. He said he would promote transparency and strive to restore public faith in the office.
Two other Republicans are seeking the same office – incumbent Cindi Henry and Nick Ferrelli, a former Shadyside councilman.
After Meyer spoke, council members voted to enter an executive session to discuss personnel. They returned to regular session after about five minutes and announced that the village would seek to hire a full-time employee for the street and water crew.
Council also voted unanimously to renew the village’s fire protection contract with Union Township with no change to its terms.
Kemp reported that the village produced 67% of its own water from its two wells in February, buying 33% from Belmont County. He said a period of drought during February had slowed production from the wells, but snow melt and recent wet weather have improved that situation.
Kemp also talked about an underground waterline outside the American Legion/Tri-State Military Veterans Museum that froze during bitterly cold weather. He said a contractor was hired to dig up the line, which was found to be buried only 12-14 inches deep. The line has since been replaced and reburied and the meter at the building moved outside. Total cost of that project amounted to about $3,000.
Kemp also noted there has been an uptick in sewage flowing through the system, so workers are trying to pinpoint where the increase is coming from.
Ed Tacosik, a cemetery trustee and member of the Belmont Volunteer Fire Department, reported to council on both matters. He said the cemetery had one burial in February with no plot sales.
Regarding the ongoing construction of the new firehouse, located behind the museum, Tacosik said adverse weather conditions slow progress. He said brick and block work have been completed, with installation of the roof and insulation next on the agenda. He said the “stick build” portion of the project will begin after that, leading to completion of interior walls.
Tacosik also reported on a “vehicle swap” that was approved by council in February. The village gave the VFD its SUV police cruiser, now that the police department has been dissolved after residents declined to approve a levy to fund it. The SUV had only racked up about 20,000 miles worth of travel.
In exchange, the VFD gave the village the fire chief’s SUV, which has higher mileage, and a 6×6 vehicle designed for rugged terrain, deep mud, or sand, to help village workers reach remote locations and the well site.
Tacosik, who owns the Logotek business in Bethesda, said the exchange is complete and that he put new lettering on the vehicle given to the VFD. He used magnetic signs to update the lettering on the former fire chief’s vehicle.
Councilwoman Lorie Grob discussed plans for an Easter celebration in the village. She said Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be from 9-10 a.m. April 4 at the gymnasium with an egg hunt to follow at 10:15 a.m. The egg hunt takes place on the former school grounds and will be held rain or shine.
She added that anyone who would like to donate candy or prizes to be placed in the eggs can bring them to the village offices. A local 4-H group has volunteered to fill the eggs for the hunt on March 29.
“Anyone who wants to volunteer to help out in the kitchen or help with the egg hunt … we definitely need the help,” she continued, asking that volunteers contact her via Facebook. “We could use any help. Anybody that wants to help.”
Decorating for the event will be done on April 3.
Council also heard from Patrick Elman of Verdantas, an environmental science, engineering, and consulting services firm with offices across the nation and state, including one in St. Clairsville. He discussed plans for the widening of the intersection of state routes 149 and 147 at Bridge Street. He said the work will likely result in a four-way stop at that location and noted that the village Christmas tree planted nearby will not be disturbed.
Council approved the plan as presented.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 1 in the Stanley Sobel Village Offices inside the gym at 209 Brown St.
Barnesville Area News Needs Your Support!
We're dedicated to providing coverage of the local happenings in Barnesville and the neighboring communities.
As a non-profit entity, we rely on the donations of readers like you.
Make a donation today and you'll be helping keep local news alive in the Barnesville area.