Vestal Passes Budget and New Sewer Rates

11/19/2012 (Updated 11:36:58 PM)

VESTAL--  The Town of Vestal has passed both it's budget at its new sewer rates Monday evening, and there are increases in both.

The sewage rate increase came to about 40%, according to Town Supervisor John Schaffer.
 
Schaffer said that means about a $5 increase per month for the average residential user.

In terms of the town's budget, its a 4.5%, which Schaffer said will mean about a $28 hike in property taxes for the average homeowner.

Shaffer said  although the hikes are unfortunate, it's the first time in Vestal's history that a budget was passed without using the town's reserve funds.

As for the big jump in sewage rates, Shaffer blames the increase in what it has to pay to the sewage treatment plant.