Trending
Fredonia's trustees listened to an hour and a half of criticism and advice Tuesday night from citizens about the village water system.
A public hearing was held on a proposed rate hike of $2 per 1,000 gallons used. There was no vote on the proposal Tuesday.
The hearing was held, trustees took a short break, then the cavalcade of critics continued almost as soon as the board's regular bi-weekly meeting began.
There was little mention of the water main breaks that plagued the west side of the village Saturday. Speakers held to the big picture, stating that the village must do something about its old pipes. The ancient piping system took the blame for recent brown water reports around Fredonia.
Critics of the proposed rate hike said it should be done during the village's upcoming budget compilation. They also pushed back on Trustee Jon Espersen's assertion that it costs $8.81 to produce each 1,000 gallons of water, nearly four dollars more than it currently costs to use the same amount.
Some also urged the village to repair and upgrade its metering system so it can account for millions of gallons of lost water.
Many of the speakers were familiar faces who have criticized village officials at meetings for months over their handling of the water system. A significant number were former village officials themselves: Former Trustee James Lynden, ex-Village Attorney Sam Drayo and ex-Treasurer James Sedota were among the speakers.