Sheffield to increase water/sewer rates

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

SHEFFIELD — For the first time in 15 years, Sheffield residents will see an increase in their water/sewer bill, possibly as soon as the June statements.

Mayor Bill Rosenow and Sheffield Village Clerk Pat Stier met with Larry Good, an engineer with Chamlin and Associates of Peru, recently to discuss how much of an increase the village would have to charge their residents in order to meet financial obligations the village incurs on a monthly and annual basis. The issue was then brought before the Sheffield Village Board.

A 33 percent increase in the water/sewer base rate, which equals to approximately $13.25 per each resident's bi-monthly water/sewer bill — if passed at the March 15 board meeting — will be implemented as of the June 2010 billing statements.

The village has not seen an increase in its water/sewer rates in 15 years.

The ordinance also includes a 3 percent yearly increase to residents' water/sewer bill, along with an abatement clause, which enables the board to decide on a yearly basis if the increase will be needed.

Trustee Mary Ann Cernovich questioned if a new ordinance would have to be drafted, or if the current one could just be “tweaked,” to reflect the new rates and add the abatement clause.

The village's ordinance committee met Monday to revise the current water/sewer ordinance and have it ready for a vote by the March 15 board meeting.

Members also will be planning to discuss parking problems incurred with all non-motorized vehicles, (trailers, campers, etc.), which are parked in various areas along city streets.

The possible drafting of an ordinance which would regulate where these non-motorized vehicles can park will be discussed along with how this ordinance should be enforced. Rosenow is also going to look into state statutes on laws regarding parking on streets, as well as discussing the situation with Sheffield Police Chief Todd Marquez.

Also, during the recent Sheffield Village Board meeting, Rosenow wanted to address the legality of the special board meeting which was held Feb 8. Trustees Cernovich, Jo Ann Bertetto, Sue Bromme and Adrianne Ries were present. Rosenow, Trustees Harley Barton and Keith VanDermeersch were absent. Due to the absence of Rosenow, Reis acted as mayor.

Rosenow first informed the board the meeting, in his opinion “was not necessary. The school board is well aware of our intentions regarding the school building, and another letter did not need to be sent out.” Rosenow also said any action that was taken at that meeting was not legal, and that the letter sent to the Bureau Valley School Board regarding options concerning the old school building was also improper. Rosenow continued on saying Reis should have approached him with the letter, and it was up to him to send it out, not her.

Heated arguments continued with Cernovich questioning Rosenow’s judgment on his quotes stemming from a recent article in the BCR. Cernovich felt he was unfair in his remarks regarding her personal conversations with her husband, Rick, who is on the school board. She also thought comments directed to her were not necessary.

When Rosenow began to address Cernovich with her accusations, Bromme asked the board go into closed session to discuss the matter further. Bromme felt that this was an issue that needed to be discussed between the mayor and the board in private. Rosenow cited a personnel exemption for going into closed session.

After the closed session, Cernovich remarked that during the closed session, everyone decided to “agree to disagree.”

When Rosenow was asked his opinion on the outcome of the closed session, he replied, “According to the Illinois Revised Statutes and our bylaws, any action taken at this special meeting was not legal.”

In other business, the board:

• Received a letter from the Bureau Valley School Board discussing the possibilities of pursuing the demolition of the old school building. Superintendent Terry Gutshall asked if the board would give him input as to where the students should be picked up once the building is demolished. Rosenow feels, as did the rest of the board, that this is a school board issue, not a village issue and that Bureau Valley should decide themselves where the children should be picked up.

• Will be inviting Marquez to the March 15 board meeting to discuss the working hours and shifts the department works. The board wants to make certain the hours are being utilized in the village's best interest.

• Approved the payment of bills in the amount of $8,002.62.

• Would like to invite its residents and visitors to visit the village Web site at www.sheffield-il.com.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.