Wilton sewer rates go up 20 percent; 86 percent water-rate hike looming

By SARAH PARKER

County Line Editor

Wilton’s sewer rates will rise by 20 percent starting Dec. 22, and the state Public Service Commission likely will require the village to raise its water rates by about 86 percent in the coming months.

At Monday’s Wilton Village Board meeting, clerk/treasurer Lori Brueggen noted that, at one point, the PSC suggested a 104 percent increase for water rates, but the village negotiated for a lower rate.

For the average household (one that uses roughly 11,000 gallons), the quarterly bill for water and sewer will be a little more than $300 per quarter.

The PSC may begin the process of approving the village’s full rate case in December.

For the past several decades, the village has done a simplified rate case every 18 months, raising its rates by 3 percent each time. But a municipality can submit a simplified rate case to the state a limited number of times, and Wilton’s ability to do so has ended.

The chief reason for the sharp increase is the number of improvements the village has done to its water infrastructure, which factor into the PSC’s consideration of a rate case. 

On a related note, the village is seeking a 75 percent grant from Rural Development to mitigate high ammonia levels in the effluent at the wastewater treatment plant. The project calls for a facility study and sewer upgrades at a projected cost $1.4 million.

Also, the village agreed to award a $6,057 bid to Chosen Valley Testing to install four monitoring wells at the wastewater treatment plant.

Other business

• Trick-or-treat hours will be from 2–5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. As in previous years, residents who are giving out candy should display orange pumpkins, which are available at local businesses, and have their porch lines turned on.

• To repaint and sandblast the village’s swimming pool, the board agreed to borrow $29,400 from Farmers and Merchants Bank at a 2.5 interest rate for five years. The annual payment will be $6,261.64.

• The village’s phosphorus variance for its wastewater treatment plant still is pending. The variance would allow the village to exceed state limits for five years as it makes improvements to the plant.

• The board approved this year’s library budget of $44,880, which did not change from last year.

• The village will pay of its current squad, a 2019 GMC Sierra, by using the $6,645.98 proceeds from the sale of its older squad, a 2012 Dodge Charger, along with funds from its 1033 program.

The 1033 program transfers excess military equipment to police departments. The Wilton Police Department has been acquiring and later selling equipment it had obtained through the 1033 program.

• The board approved the purchase of a new taser and body cam for the Wilton Police Department for $2,500. That expenditure also will be paid with 1033 funds.

• The village will seek quotes to repair the leaking roof at the Wilton Community Center shop.

• The Wilton Community Center will remain closed to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, the board decided.

• The board agreed to sell lot No. 15 in the Arrowhead Subdivision for $6,195 to Willie Krause. As part of terms of the sale, a home must be constructed on the lot within one year of the closing date.

• The board approved operator’s licenses for Laurie Landowski, Morgan Koltermann and Holly Wilke.

Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the average water/sewer bill, after the increase, would be $300 per month. It would $300 per quarter. 

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