Village Board to Vote on Water Rate Hike

Correction: Tonight's meeting will see the first reading of the water rate ordinance, with a second reading and vote scheduled for Feb. 27. The story has been updated.

Tonight, trustees are expected to discuss a plan to raise water rates by three percent.

The increase is based on a water rate study conducted by Engineering Enterprises Inc. in 2009. That study recommended an increase of 70 cents per 1,000 gallons in 2010, 50 cents per 1,000 in 2011, and a three-percent hike every year thereafter.

The increase would be retroactive to Jan. 1, which means the new rate—$4.90 per 1,000 gallons used—would appear on the water bills sent out in April. Finance Director Jeff Zoephel said that the average household would likely pay $3 more per billing period. 

Tonight's meeting will see the first reading of the ordinance, with a second reading and a vote scheduled for Feb. 27.

Montgomery has seen its share of complaints about the water system lately, starting late last year, when a broken well led to . With Well 14 out of service, the village was forced to pump water from other sources, and the change in direction shook loose rust deposits on the cast-iron pipes below Boulder Hill.

This led to several residents speaking out before the Village Board in early January, and to the village spending an additional $7,600 to expedite repairs of Well 14. That well is , and Boulder Hill residents have reported improved water quality.

Then, on Feb. 1, residents on the east side began reporting a strange smell in the water. staff took the main treatment plant on Knell Road offline and tested the water, finding of two petroleum-based chemicals.

The lines were flushed, and the water quality restored, and staff is now searching for the source of the chemicals, according to Public Works Director Mike Pubentz.

Also at Monday’s meeting, trustees will decide whether to spend roughly $69,000 on a truck and snow plow, items which were budgeted in fiscal year 2011 but never purchased. Additionally, they will vote on appointing Tom Yakaitis to the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

The Village Board meeting begins at 7 p.m. at , 200 N. River St. The meeting is free and open to the public.