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Meadow council moves water system to "red" billing condition as spring flow worries persist
Summary
Meadow council members decided at the May meeting to place the town’s water system in the fee-schedule "red" condition, imposing higher overage charges tied to meter-read cycles (effective with the June read) to encourage conservation as spring flows decline.
Meadow’s town council voted in favor of moving the town’s water system to the fee-schedule "red" condition at its May monthly meeting, a change council members said is intended to encourage conservation as spring flows become uncertain.
The council’s water representative reported that recent storms increased spring inflow to about “100 gallons per minute,” but cautioned the level is variable and that an inspector will check springs and well seals. “There’s probably a 100 gallons coming in from the springs right now,” the water representative said during the meeting.
Council members discussed how any fee change is applied by meter-read cycle; staff explained reads and billing occur around the 20th of the month and that changes made now would take effect on the next meter read. The council directed staff to post notice at the post office and on social media once the effective read date is set.
Under the town’s tiered schedule, staff recited the overage tiers used under red conditions: $2 per 1,000 gallons for 60,000–70,000 gallons; $4 per 1,000 for 70,000–80,000; $6 per 1,000 for 80,000–90,000; $8 per 1,000 for 90,000–100,000; and $10 per 1,000 for usage above 100,000 gallons. The council discussed whether many local customers reach those thresholds and described the higher rates as a financial deterrent to excess use.
Council members also agreed to scale back cemetery watering after Memorial Day while balancing appearance needs for July events. One member suggested cemetery staff “start cutting back after Memorial Day,” and the chair said the council wanted some green to remain for July 24.
The council said the red condition will be applied starting with the appropriate upcoming meter read (the June read under the town’s schedule) and that the town may return to a lower condition if spring flows improve. The meeting transcript records that the council “went to red” by consensus and that staff will follow up with public notice.
Implementation details — including the specific meter read that triggers the new rates and whether any customer exemptions apply — were not specified at the meeting and will be handled by staff.
