By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — Claypool Town Council is continuing to look at the town’s options for increasing the sewer rate.

During a June 20 meeting, Council President Benny Stage Jr. said the town is aiming for a 35% to 40% rate increase. However, at a May council meeting, Baker Tilly staff suggested a 64% increase, noting the town hasn’t increased the rate since 1999.

Currently, the town’s wastewater minimum is $53 per household. A 35% increase would change that to $71.55, while a 64% increase would raise the minimum to $86.92.

In order to reach a 38% increase instead of 64%, Stage said the only option Baker Tilly presented to council was eliminating Claypool’s assistant utilities superintendent position, held by Andrew Miller. Monies from potentially eliminating the job would be used to lessen the rate increase proposed by Baker Tilly.

“That income would be saved and it would put us right at (a 38% increase),” said Stage. “Something has to be done by August.”

Council expressed an interest in a 38% increase to the rate but decided to research additional options aside from eliminating Miller’s position.

In other business, Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers Inc., presented brief updates to council on projects involving the town’s wastewater treatment plant and retention pond.

Harrison recommended the council move forward with the design process for the treatment plant in order to be prepared for funding. Ben Adams with Baker Tilly will attend the council’s July meeting to move forward with a contract for the project.

With the retention pond, Harrison provided council with two options: making the pond bigger or inverting it to get rid of the standing water.

Stage said making the pond bigger was not an option due to neighboring houses and sidewalks. Council Member Gene Warner said the main goal was to turn the retention pond into mowable property.

The council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at the Claypool Lions Club building.