Bellaire officials eye water funds
By MICHAEL SCHULER, Times Leader Staff WriterA LACK of a quorum prevented Bellaire Village Council from taking any action during Thursday's regular meeting, but the three members of council who were present did receive village reports.
Along with Mayor Vince DiFabrizio, the councilmen present at the meeting were William Marinacci, Barry Zalesny and Troy Johnson.
Councilmen Jerry Olack and Dustin Hepburn were both absent due to illness, and Councilman Rickie Parker was out of town.
During the brief meeting, water issues were reported by Village Administrator Rebecca Zwack and Solicitor Ed Sustersic.
Recently, the village's finance committee discussed options for generating money for the water funding that is projected to have a $105,000 deficit for 2009.
According to Zwack, about $6,000 has been collected through back billing from accounts that were erroneously undercharged.
The village is also increasing the installation of water meters. Last month, 22 meters were installed, Zwack said.
She also addressed the issue of raising rates, saying that there was actually a measure passed by the former Bellaire Board of Public Affairs in 2003 that calls for annual 1 percent increase in the water fee that is not being added on to the bills.
There was also similar legislation for annual 1 percent increases to the sanitation and garbage fees.
Sustersic did say that he has a draft ordinance for the council to review regarding water rate increases, but it was only a draft.
Over the recent months, council has also considered charging water customers for the cost of water meters. Sustersic, however, said the village already has an ordinance that calls for property owners to purchase their meters. That legislation also has provisions regarding repairs to meters.
Another area the village is looking to make changes is in garbage fees.
According to Zwack, there are many inconsistencies with commercial accounts.
Some of the problems encountered are garbage fees for customers with more frequent collections, but who pay a lower rate.
Compressed trash is also making it necessary to make changes to the commercial garbage rates, she said.
Also reporting was Bellaire Police Chief Michael P. Kovalyk who said the police department has been making progress on citing property owners for code violations.
He also took time to remind the public that during the holiday season to keep their homes and vehicles locked and not to leave packages or other items of value in plain sight when inside a vehicle.
Kovalyk also is recommending people record serial numbers and photograph personal property. That information can help police recover stolen items, he said.
Schuler can be reached at shoe@timesleaderonline.com.
