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Middletown council approves 52% water rate increase and tentatively awards construction contract for new treatment plant
Summary
The Middletown Town Council on Dec. 8 adopted Ordinance No. 2015-9 to raise water rates by 52% to fund a Water Treatment Plant Replacement Project and authorized the town president to sign a tentative notice of award to Graves Construction/Plumbing Co.; the action followed a rate study presented by Umbaugh & Associates.
The Middletown Town Council on Dec. 8 voted unanimously to raise water rates by 52% to help pay for a Water Treatment Plant Replacement Project and authorized the town president to sign a tentative notice of award to Graves Construction/Plumbing Co.
The action followed a presentation by Doug Baldessari of Umbaugh & Associates, who delivered the final water-rate study and four options tied to different assumptions about payments in lieu of taxes and an improvements budget. Drew Cooper, clerk-treasurer, recommended the council adopt Option III — the scenario with no payment in lieu of taxes and a $25,000 improvements budget — which Cooper said would produce the smallest required increase, 52%.
There were no public comments during the hearing. Betty Riley, town council president, moved to close the public hearing; Dave Wagner seconded and the motion passed unanimously with Riley, Wagner, Gary Kendall and Norm Purdue voting in favor and Shelly Kimmerling absent.
Following the recommendation, Dave Wagner moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2015-9, amending Ordinance No. 3-2013, to implement Option III; Norm Purdue seconded. The council adopted the ordinance unanimously.
After adopting the ordinance the council considered the construction procurement. Betty Riley moved to authorize the town council president to sign the Tentative Notice of Award for construction of the new Water Treatment Plant to Graves Construction/Plumbing Co., "as per the recommendation of the town’s engineering firm, Buter-Fairman-Seufert." Gary Kendall seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting record shows no public objections were entered. With no further business the council adjourned.
Next steps indicated by the minutes are procedural: signing the tentative notice of award and proceeding with contract finalization per the engineering firm's recommendation; the minutes do not specify a contract effective date or construction schedule.
