Fillmore Council approves new rates

FILLMORE -- Several months of consideration has ended as expected, with the Fillmore Town Council approving an increase to its water and wastewater rates.

Utility customers will see an immediate increase in their water and wastewater rates, as well as a Phase 2 wastewater increase in 2016.

Each rate would also see a small incremental increase over the next five years to cover inflation to maintenance and repair costs.

A public hearing preceding the regular meeting Thursday night met with minimal public comment.

While Fillmore residents (including the three council members) are certainly not happy with the increase, there seems to be a general understanding that the increase is unavoidable, the result of a sizable rate increase from Greencastle Municipal Utilities.

New state mandates have forced the City of Greencastle to increase its rates substantially.

With the new rates, average Fillmore utility users (3,000 gallons) can expect a monthly increase of $18.71 on their bills.

The minimum utility bill for Fillmore water and sewer customers will increase $11.89.

Flat-rate sewer customers will see a $9.36 monthly increase.

Meanwhile, Thursday was the last meeting for Third Ward Councilor Tami Van Rensselaer, who has moved out of Fillmore town limits.

The council chose Meredith Trusty as her replacement.

Trusty expressed an interest in the position shortly after Van Rensselaer announced her resignation, and has been active in the rate increase discussions.