Athens raises water rates by 5 percent

By Casey Krautkramer

The Athens Village Board on March 25 voted to increase sewer rates by 5 percent for residents, which went into effect on Monday.

The village needs to earn extra income to help pay for its wastewater treatment plant upgrade project, which will go out to bid in 2025. The construction project is needed so the village can meet the state DNR’s new phosphorous discharge limit.

Village clerk Lisa Czech said the 5 percent sewer rate increase will result in an approximate $2 increase per month for the average residential user.

Other business

n The board approved a raise for police chief Aaron Stencil, who saw his yearly salary increase on Monday from $69,039.75 to $75,000.

n Board members voted to accept a quote from Northway Communications, not to exceed $2,900, for maintenance of the village’s warning sirens. Czech said maintenance work on the two sirens includes replacing the batteries and adding a timer to set them off automatically.

n The board approved the bowling alley contract for The Hall, which is located in the basement of Athens Community Hall. Owners of The Hall are required to pay the village $705 in monthly rent and 70 cents for each bowling game played.

n Board members voted to update Village Ordinance 388-6 and 388-7 to set a fee and require a permit for companies wanting to perform excavation work in the village right-of-ways, which are the areas owned by the village on each side of the street. This updated ordinance allows Bug Tussel to bury Internet cable under the ground.

n The public can go to the village website and click on community/ park and recreation/Athens Community Hall to see new rental rates.

n Board members voted to allow the village to pay MTS $15,600 for engineering work on the 2024 street project, which includes grinding and repaving Schlegel Street with spot replacement of curb and gutter and reconstructing Elm Street and replacing its curb and gutter.

n Czech said Andy Thurs ran for village trustee as a registered writein candidate in Tuesday’s election. There was an open seat on the village oard because Tammy Schreiner didn’t run for re-election after serving a pair of two-year terms.

n ABR Riders donated $250 to the village.

n Curbside brush pickup is on May 9 and May 23 in the village.