Village of Williamsville water rates increased
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

As a result of an increase mandated by the Erie County Water Authority, Village of Williamsville residents will see a 6-cent increase in their water rates this year.

Water rates for structures inside the village will pay $4.29 per 1,000 gallons of water used, and structures outside the village that still use village water will pay $6.44 per 1,000 gallons. The minimum bill, for amounts of 0 to 4,000 gallons will be $17.16, and the rate for the Williamsville High School will be $5.36 per 1,000 gallons.

The water rates were changed as of Jan. 1, but a public hearing on the issues was held at the village's regular board meeting on Monday night.

The rates were raised 5 cents for the village itself and 6 cents for residents, which was an issue for resident and former trustee Joe Frese.

"Even though you're upset with their (the county's) increase, you're still going to pass it on to the residents," he said. "The water system is up to par with the county. It's the sewer that needs attention."

"It makes me unhappy to have to shuffle this through," said Mayor Mary Lowther. "But it's an authority, so they don't care."

The village was notified of the water rate increase too late to adequately advertise a public hearing that would be held before Jan. 1.

The increase, according to Village Trustee Basil Piazza, is to be used to buy and install generators so the county will continue to have water in the event of mass electrical outages, such as that of the October 2006 storm.

"During the October storm, we were in danger of losing all of our water," Lowther said. "And they've done nothing to ensure that that doesn't happen again, which is a failing on their part."

The rate increase was not the only issue plaguing the board when it came to the Water Authority.

"In the past we had the most efficient system in Erie County," Piazza said. "The county wanted to take over our water system, but they wanted to give us nothing for it."

The village is now looking at a 20 percent loss of water, according to county meters.

"The flow coming into the village may be inaccurate," Piazza continued. "We've asked them to recalibrate the meters."

One of the county meters was replaced this week, according to Department of Public Works Crew Chief Marc Shuttleworth.

The board also:

• Approved a resolution to commit $31,500 from a $41,500 Community Development Block Grant Funding to creating a handicapped-accessible walkway in South Long Park. The other $10,000 will be used to assist village senior citizens with home repairs that they cannot afford to do themselves.

• OK'd a resolution to have the village's annual budget placed on the village Web site to "ensure open and honest budgetary practices."

"I would like the public to understand what we're doing," said Trustee Jeff Kingsley during a work session prior to the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Village Board will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 at Village Hall, 5564 Main St., Williamsville.