Water Rates Will Go Up in Bloomville

BLOOMVILLE – Much of the monthly Kortright Town Board meeting centered  around the highway budget, getting in some more sand and ordering materials for the next season's repairs. They also discussed the need to increase water rates in the hamlet of Bloomville.

The highway material bids will be reworded to hopefully encourage additional bidders and lower bids, with bids to include delivery to the town barn. With some complaints this winter about the size of some of the cobbles in the material used to sand, the town will specify nothing over one inch in diameter when they bid out for sand. The bids will be opened at the board's March 15 meeting.

The town will also advertise for mowing bids for the coming year.

The new website is being designed and board members approved a motion to make it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant at an additional cost of $500. Haynes reported that email addresses and other things are still being changed and added to the site.

Supervisors George Haynes reviewed the water district budget. The current budget is $31,500, but current costs will be $33,025, leaving a shortfall. Therefore, the rate will be increased $50 per month or $100 per year to cover the increase and provide a "cushion". Haynes said the infrastructure at the water plant is now 25 years old and replacement infrastructure likely in the future. The new rates will take effect with the April billing.

Board members entered executive session to discuss union negotiation of sick time.