WARREN Officials to discuss sewer rate increase

A councilwoman still has questions about the proposed increase.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A proposed sewer rate increase is expected to be discussed at a meeting next week.
Council members approved an amendment to the proposed ordinance to increase residential sewer rates. The amendment removed a provision calling for rates to rise 17 cents per 100 cubic feet annually through 2007.
That left the portion of the ordinance that would increase rates from $1.98 to $2.74 per 100 cubic feet of water for city residents and from $2.79 to $3.85 for nonresidents.
City officials have said the rate increase is needed because of an anticipated $350,000 budget shortfall in the water pollution control department.
But council members rejected a motion to suspend the rules requiring three readings to allow the ordinance to come to a vote Wednesday.
Has questions
Councilwoman Susan E. Hartman, D-7th, said she still has questions regarding the rate increase, and Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th, said he wants to know how much of the proposed increase is for projects to address flooding.
Tom Angelo, director of the water pollution control center, said it's up to council to prioritize projects for funding to deal with flooding. But the increase would provide some funding to start addressing those problems.
"We have to start somewhere and go forward," Angelo said.
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, said flooding has been a problem in the city for several years and nothing has been done to address it. He asked council members who oppose the increase to suggest alternatives.
"If I'm re-elected, I'll be the first one to sponsor legislation to take away that additional money if I'm not satisfied with what's going on in that department," Fonce said, referring to water pollution control.
He suggested formation of a committee including residents to prioritize needs of the city's sewer system and correct the problems.
"By voting this down, we're not going to solve the problems," Fonce said.
A meeting where the ordinance will be discussed along with other legislation is set for Wednesday.
Applying for grant
Council members also passed an ordinance to file the application for Community Development Block Grant money for 2004. The application for $1.75 million will be submitted to federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The amount includes $200,000 for street resurfacing in low- to moderate-income areas; $150,000 for the Riverwalk/Kinsman House rehabilitation project; and $75,000 for neighborhood parks.
The projects were selected for funding by a citizens committee that spent two days listening to requests.