After a public hearing held Thursday Oct. 21, village officials increased water rates to keep the Baldwinsville Water Department from operating in the red. Rates were last adjusted in 2005.

Customers within the village will see an increase of approximately $15 per quarter, while residents outside the village will see an increase of approximately $22 per quarter. A breakdown of fees shows village residents paying a $14 flat rate per billing period while users located outside the village will pay an $18 flat rate per period. This flat rate is used to keep the infrastructure maintained. Part of the reason residences outside the village pay a higher rate is due to equipment maintained by taxes, which village residents pay into.

For usage, village residents will pay $1.10/cubic foot and users outside the village will pay $1.20/cubic foot. Prior to the rate change, outside village residences paid an average $32/per quarter bill. The new estimate for outside the village is $54/per quarter.

Up until now, deficiencies in the water department budget were adjusted with monies from the public works fund balance, which is in place to cover the costs of any major work. The rate changes should replenish the fund balance by 2016, at which point it may need to be adjusted again.

Public hearing

A public hearing regarding a local law amending the Lysander town code adding a new Chapter 103 entitled Road Preservation and Safety will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Lysander Town Hall, 8220 Loop Road in Radisson.