Council OK's rate hike, hears construction report

Members of the Cathlamet Town Council handled a variety of business when they met Monday night.

The council approved a new Public Utilities ordinance that will implement increases in rates for sewer system customers in order to finance improvements to the town's waste water treatment system.

While the new ordinance increases sewer bills, it will also lower connection fees in an effort to attract more customers to the system.

Inside the town's corporate limits rates will increase in $5 increments from $45 per month to $55 for June-December, 2012, and again every six months to $80 per month for the June, 2014 billing period.

Outside the town, rates will increase from the current $58 per month to $68 in June to $93 in June, 2014.

Sewer connections in and outside the town limits will be $100 plus the cost of materials; customers connecting to the Boege Road extension will have to pay an additional $3,000 system development fee for Wahkiakum County.

Councilmember Wally Wright asked that the council delay final action on the ordinance in order to research and discuss the use of fluoride to treat the water coming out of the town water plant.

Fluoride is a dangerous chemical, he said, pehaps the town shouldn't be using it to treat the water.

Councilmembers listened to Wright's request but went ahead with final approval of the ordinance.

Councilmember Dick Swart commented that the health department had long ago approved the use of fluoride to treat water, but the council could study the issue. However, that shouldn't delay passage of the ordinance. The rate increases were proposed almost two years ago and then dropped, but the sewer fund needs the funds, he said.

Wright also suggested delaying action in order to add provisions requiring people to make sure they aren't putting storm water in the waste water system. The storm water will have to be pumped to the new treatment plant and treated along with sewage, an unnecessary expense.

Again, Swart said the council could discuss such requirements, but that shouldn't delay the passage of the ordinance.

The ordinance passed in a 3-1 vote, with Swart, Bob Rendler and Steve McNicholas voting in favor and Wright voting in opposition.

In other business:

--Consulting Engineer Ken Alexander reported that the wastewater plant contractor will soon be installing a new line across Main Street, perhaps at the end of this week. The contractor is also progressing on the new plant site, he said.

--For the 3rd Street construction project, crews are relocating utility lines in preparation for street construction. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 1, Alexander said.

--Mayor George Wehrfritz announced the town has hired Skamokawa resident Duncan Cruikshank as swimming pool manager this year. In the fall, Cruikshank will become public works superintendent with the retirement of David Vik.

--Wehrfritz and Lia Sealund, director of the Wahkiakum Community Network, said they are planning a volunteer service and fund raising project for painting of the Cathlamet library, which is to be remodeled this summer.

Their object, he said, is to raise $10,000 for painting.

"I think it's a really neat opportunity to show the partnership of the Network and the town," Sealund said. "The community center is an outreach to the community to promote the health and wellbeing of our citizens as a whole."