Wawa Municipal Council appears steadfast after hearing concerns about proposed water and sewer services billing.
CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill has recommended the initial implementation of water meter-based billing aim to cover the $1.5-million in revenue needed for water and wastewater services with a 70/30 split: 70% of the costs to be covered by a "fixed" component on the user's bill, relating to the size of the pipe into their meter, the remaining 30% to be covered by a variable rate, a charge per cubic metre of water used.
During their Corporate Planning Committee meeting last night, Council heard concerns from Viking Restaurant owner Roland Lachappelle, who questioned why he would need to pay the fixed rate during periods where he'd have water turned off for the season - and so isn't using the "service" - noting concerns not just for himself, but for seniors in the community - and further warning that the "cost of living here is getting out of control", driving people away from town.
O'Neill replied that the fixed rate is meant to cover many aspects of the service, with Mayor Ron Rody saying it relates to the service of having the pipes and the clean water available when service is turned on - Rody did admit Lachappelle was "absolutely right" about increasing costs in small towns, but noted the costs for water and sewer service is required by provincial law to be paid by users, not subsidized by property taxes - something the municipality has yet to reach.
Council has not yet confirmed the plans for water meter-based billing or related rates.