Residents get new information about Fillmore town utilities

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

FILLMORE -- Clerk-Treasurer Tom Gilson had some new utility information to share during the Fillmore Town Council’s regular meeting on Thursday.

The new information comes after his meeting with Mary Hoover, Rural Development Specialist of the USDA Rural Community Assistance Program.

Hoover advised that, while the town may not like having to pay Greencastle for its water, it is better for towns of Fillmore’s size not to have their own utility systems as the cost of upkeep eventually outweighs the cost of paying for water from another system.

Also on Hoover’s advice, the town will be testing the water meters for accuracy in the future, which may have an effect on consumers’ bills. If the meters have been reading faster than they should, Gilson said, consumers will be reimbursed for overages. But, if they have been reading slower, consumers will see increased costs.

Lastly, Hoover showed that the two bonds the town holds for its water and sewage system from 1992 total more than $800,000 and that payments are projected until 2029. Hoover has not said how much the town still owes on the bonds, but the amount would be $127,000 less had the town not defaulted on one of the loans some time in the past.

To prevent a second default, the town was been required to set up reserve accounts for the water, sewer and stormwater funds. While the first two are in the black, Hoover suggested the addition of a $1 stormwater fee to utility bills to improve the reserve fund.

Clerk-Treasurer Gilson said Hoover will continue to work with him over the next two months.

In other news related to utilities, an ordinance to enforce prompt payment of utility bills suggested by Clerk-Treasurer Gilson last month died after not receiving full agreement from the council.

However, delinquent utility bills have recently proved a problem for Fillmore. While most of the outstanding bills from years past have been paid, the courts ruled that one property owner with a delinquency of more than $5,000 did not have to pay because the town did not provide the owner with the proper documentation within 60 days of their tenants leaving the property.

In other developments:

-- ADA Ordinance: The council unanimously declared ADA Ordinance valid and available for public viewing.

-- Claims: The council approved claims at a total of $33,997.25, an increase from last month of $12,709.58 and of $7,645.38 from the year’s average.

-- EDIT Plan: The council is set to vote on Ordinance 2017-2, which establishes a plan for using funds from the economic development income tax (EDIT), at its next meeting on April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Fillmore Town Hall.

-- Old ordinances: The council is set to vote on an ordinance concerning the unintentional reproduction of domestic animals and the placement of mobile and trailer homes at its next meeting on April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Fillmore Town Hall.

-- Salary schedules: The council unanimously approved Ordinance 2017-1, which provided the following salary schedules. The salaries are to come from the general, sewer, water and MVH funds.

-- Clerk-Treasurer: $19,804.84 annually

-- Council members: $5,931 annually

-- Marshal: $15,450 annually

-- Deputy marshal: $10,815 annually

-- Utilities operator: $30,316.53 annually

-- Certified water operator: $6,000 annually

-- Utility clerk: $10.50 per hour, not to exceed 12 hours per week

-- Mower/trimmer: $55 each mowing

-- Housekeeping: $20 each cleaning

-- Town Clean-up Day: The council set the annual Town Clean-up Day for April 29. There will be two dumpsters, one at each end of town. Metal and trash are welcome, but no paint, tires or electronics. Volunteers are appreciated, and anyone with a pickup truck who would like to help is welcome.

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