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Read comments (2)The town's Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Tuesday to accept the latest contract from BCUD with the new rate of $4 per 1,000 gallons, an increase of 51 percent over the current rate of $2.65 per 1,000 gallons.
The new rate will be effective from Jan. 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The rate also assumes a minimum of 100,000 gallons a month per meter, leading to a minimum bill of $400 per meter.
In December 2006, Bell Buckle's rate with BCUD was $2.15 per 1,000 gallons, which relates to an overall increase of 74 percent in a little over one year.
Mayor Dennis Webb told the board that BCUD believes the rates are justified to maintain its infrastructure and support their capital outlay in the future.
Webb characterized the increase as "dramatic, to say the least" but added that as mayor, he is committed to not passing the hike along to the town's water customers, "who already pay a substantial amount for water."
"We must work hard to absorb this impact and work with BCUD to stabilize rates for our future," he said. Bell Buckle receives water from both BCUD and Wartrace.
The board also expressed disappointment that the town failed to receive a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for this funding cycle. Alderperson Jenny Hunt said that the CDBG program seems not to be set up to help small towns with the population of Bell Buckle.
The county recently received a CDBG in the amount of $500,000 for water line extensions to serve 56 homes in the Flat Creek and Wartrace areas.
Bell Buckle had applied for a CDBG to help pay for repairs to the town's sewer system, which is under a director's order from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
In a related matter, water manager Ronnie Lokey reported that work is continuing on the equalization basin, which is part of the state-mandated improvements. The tank is nearly complete, except for one panel, which will be placed when all work is completed on the inside.
Lokey also reported that three sewer leaks were identified on the town's sewer survey and that Joe Richards, who was hired to detect leaks in the town's water system, had found one that was losing 10 gallons per minute, which was repaired.
The board deferred action on a citizen request to remove a speed bump on School Street until the board could was sure how its removal would impact storm water flow. The board was also given information about Tennessee's property tax freeze to examine.
The law, passed in November of 2006, authorize counties and/or municipalities to implement a local option property tax freeze for taxpayers 65 years of age or older.
Hunt reported that work has begun on the amphitheater at Bell Buckle Park following six years of planning and fundraising. She asked citizens to stay out of the construction areas for safety reasons.
She also reported that some are abusing the park with "visual evidence of unacceptable conduct" taking place. Those caught will be reported to the sheriff's department and Bell Buckle's Neighborhood Watch is being encouraged to patrol the park at night. Due to the abuse, security cameras will be installed, Hunt said.
Oh I am all for you, the town is all about getting every penny they can. Did you know about the water leak at the fosterville rd bridge? It leaked all summer and we told the town and it's employees about the matter and they ignored it. Come to the meeting on Jan 14 at cascade water will come up.
Let me ask the readers of this article if they think this is right or wrong on the part of bell-buckle water department. I have been a customer of bell-buckle water department for 17 years. I paid for my water tap and pay my bill each month. nine years ago my mother,which was widowed and having health problems, sold her house in wartrace. I own land between wartrace and cascade school.Instead of her buying property or a home, she opted for a double wide trailer. I gave her the land to put it on so we could be close to her if a problem came about. I extended MY water line to her house. about two years later I recieved a letter from the town of bell-buckle's attorney, more or less stating I was stealing water. I was requested to attend a town meeting on the matter. I was told that even though I pay for the water that passes through the meeter I could not do what I wanted with my water.I'ts mine I paid for it!That's like paying for you'r groceries and them letting you take half of them home. Well in my opinion they did'nt get their water tap fee for her house.After argueing with them for a half hour the said we'll charge you a dead meeter fee. I did'nt realize it would be a double minimum. That is pure greed after paying a double minimum for nine years which amounts to about the cost of three tap fees the water rate hike will put my bill in access of 120.00 it is now 85 to 90 a month because they charge me for 2,000 gallons that don't even pass through the meeter. That is the double minimum. Being that been said, I think after nine years of this the tap fees have been paid on this account and we should pay only for what we use.After all she is just one 72 year old lady. so if the rate goes up both bills will reflect the rate hike I think this is a story for Andy Cordan and I am sending an e-mail to channel 2 for that's messed up.Now mayor Webb that is {dramatic}.Surely the new minimum is'nt 100,000 gallon and the minimum bill can't be 400.00 per meeter that means my bill will bee 600.00 a month.Either I don't understand this, or this is a misprint. By the way a copy of the town charter was never given to me saying you still own my water after I pay for it. This stink has rubbed me raw for years it will take a laywer to get this straightened out and we don't have the recources to pursue that route my wife is disabled and was hurt at 23 years old so she draws very little dissability.It is up to me to pay all bills with crazy things like this going on.who can have the american dream.
Thank You for reading this as I am awaiting some reader input.