By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Aug. 12, the Cazenovia Town Board adopted a resolution authorizing the amendment of the “sewer rents, fees and charges” for users of the Town of Cazenovia Water Pollution Control Facility and Sewer System.
The proposed “Town of Cazenovia Sewer Rent, Fee and Charge Schedule” became effective immediately upon adoption.
The schedule lists the following charges:
Sewer Rents (based upon metered water consumption): a base rate of $325, with a charge of $4.70 per 100 ft3 when usage exceeds 6300 ft3 (47,124 gallons)
Sewer Lateral Permit Fee: $200
Inspection Fees: $100
As-Built Drawing Deposit Fee: $250
Connection/Hook-Up Fee: $150
Wastehauler License Fee: $300
Wastehauler Dumping Fee: $350 per 3,000 gallons
Wastewater/Industrial Discharge Permit Fee: $2,500
Abnormal Sewage Surcharge: $0.30 per pound of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
According to Town Supervisor Bill Zupan, at least 90 percent of people will see no change in their rate.
Only 17 users will see an increase in price, while nine will see a decrease.
“The [user] that will see a really big decrease is Cazenovia Central School,” Zupan said.
Councilor Kristi Anderson noted that the town is simply changing the way its rates are calculated.
“We are going to one flat fee . . . for everybody,” Zupan said. “We were one of the few communities that had different schedules for different [users]. This way, everybody pays the same across the board.”
According to the adopted resolution, the revenues derived from user sewer rents, charges and associated penalties are used for the continued “collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal of sewage, the operation and maintenance of the sewer system, the payment of interest on and amortization of debt incurred for construction of the sewer system, the construction of sewage and disposal works and other activities necessary for the efficient operation of the Town of Cazenovia Water Pollution Control Facility and the sewer system.”
Prior to voting on the resolution, the board held a public hearing on the proposed amendment. No public comments were made in favor or against the changes.
Later in the meeting, Zupan reported on the work completed by the town’s sewer treatment/disposal student interns.
According to Zupan, the interns, Lydia LaGorga and Lauren Howard, spent the summer photographing and mapping the manholes in the sewer system service area.
Their efforts will enable the town to more effectively monitor and maintain its sewer lines.
“I wish I had scheduled them [to present] tonight, because they really did a lot of work,” said Zupan. “They were great.”
The Cazenovia Town Board meets the second Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Gothic Cottage. For more information, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the Town Office at 315-655-9213.
