The Village of Antwerp met in Regular session on October 17 to discuss items of concern for the residents. Regular business included the previous meeting’s minutes and the financial reports. Ashley McDougall mentioned an agreement that needs to be resolved by the village in order to have Sheriff Deputies help fulfill the role of EMS run personnel.
The central part of the meeting revolved around the Water Plant, infrastructure and meter improvements that will be an ongoing upgrade item in the future. The utility committee met prior and recommended changes to council for water rate increases, not only to support the existing infrastructure costs, but also to anticipate a new water facility, in ordinance 2022-24. Councilman Brian Smith stated that with the water rates as low as they are the village cannot get grants.
Village Administrator Brian Davis laid out the need for the village to have a new water meter reading system. The existing reading system has become outdated (put into service originally in 2015) and the company no longer supports the software. Cost to replace the meters for remote reading would have a price tag of (best case scenario) $165,000. New meters for residents will be included in the monthly fees, but for commercial meters greater than 5/8”, the cost will be for businesses/organizations to bear and could be significant depending on size. It was stated there is a 20-year warranty on the replacement meters.
Davis also explained the existing water processing facility needs replaced which has an estimated cost of $5.3 million. He mentioned that today’s needs are not being met at the current rates of the water bill.
If approved, rates would increase for an average household by $280 per year. This should generate the additional $262,000 needed per year. Davis was hopeful the village could secure a 0% interest loan for 25 years. The required annual increase amount would be $212,000 to be able to pay the loan back in the 25 years. The details are in the ordinance below.
The eventual plan, after the new water plant is in place, is to replace the current water lines with plastic.
Councilman Steve Jordan brought up in new business that he believes the recycle facility/compost site is being abused with people dumping asphalt, logs and more at the site. Suggestions were made and Davis is working to pursue the questions. It was also stated that wood more than 4” in diameter cannot be accepted at the site.
The ordinance is located here:
Antwerp-Water-increase-ordinance-2022-24
