City manager explains need for residents to pay more for water

The amount of the rate increase hasn't been determined.
By SUSAN BENDER
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIANA -- City residents can expect to pay more for water in 2006 because of renovations to the water treatment plant and other projects.
City Manager Keith Chamberlin explained that the increase is necessary or expenses will be greater that the money coming in.
The Main Street reconnection project, new water meters and renovations to the water plant's million-gallon tank were listed as top priorities by plant superintendent Matt Polen during the Feb. 21 council meeting. The reconnection project will cost about $55,000, officials said, but they're not sure about the other costs.
How much more residents can expect to pay also has not yet been determined.
Councilman James King expressed concern that the residents always seem to bear the burden of the growth that Columbiana has experienced over the past several years.
Wild turkeys
In other business at council's meeting Tuesday, council members heard a report that wild turkeys are becoming a problem for some homeowners living near Firestone Park and other city neighborhoods.
Council members King and Bill Kimpel have received letters and phone calls from residents about the turkeys. They are growing in number and have reportedly shown aggression toward residents living in the area, the councilmen said. Kimpel and King said the residents would like council to find a way to safely remove the turkeys.
Council also voted to appoint John Sutherin to the Board of Zoning Appeals for the unexpired term ending Nov. 25. He replaces Bob Bieshelt, who resigned because he was appointed to the city planning commission.