SALEM Proposal would increase rates

Cyclists and scooter operators could lose their rides if they violate a city park rule.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- A city councilman is proposing an increase in water and sewer rates for homes and businesses outside the city that use the municipal utilities.
Councilman Steve Andres, D-2nd, suggested the increase during council's Tuesday meeting.
Andres, chairman of council's utilities committee, did not say how much of a raise he is proposing. He added that he wants to discuss figures with other council members.
He said it's been years since rates charged for utility customers outside city limits have been changed.
The rates, which are a percentage of the inside-the-city rate, have been in effect since the 1950s.
Municipal utility users outside the city pay 25 percent more for water than those living inside the city and 50 percent more for sewer.
Any rate change would likely involve raising those percentages.
A family of four living outside the city pays about $25 monthly for water and about $50 monthly for sewer.
Park rules: Council agreed to put some teeth into rules for the city's roller blade and skateboard park, which was finished in September.
Bicycles and scooters are banned on the stunt apparatus at the facility, located in Waterworth Memorial Park. But some users violate the prohibition.
The ordinance adopted by council gives police the right to confiscate bicycles and scooters from their owners if they catch them using the vehicles in the skate park.
Councilwoman Mary Lou Popa, D-1st, said the city should consider installing security cameras in city parks.
The cameras would help deter vandalism, Popa said.
Money saved from having to repair damage done by vandals would more than pay for the cameras, she added.
Firetruck: Council agreed to sell for $1 a 1966 firetruck to the Unity Township Fire Department.
The city fire department is retiring the pumper and wanted the Unity department to have it, Safety Director Scott Cranmer explained.