The Village Board has approved reductions in the monthly water surcharge after Trustee Edward McCartan said residents deserved the cuts after the Village Board approved two contracts with village employees.
“Since the board was giving away money, we might as well give money to the people who deserve it,” McCartan said at last week’s board meeting, referring to the police and Public Works Department contracts. Police got a 15 percent raise over three years. Public works employees got a 7 percent increase over two years.
Although the board approved the motion to cut the $14 monthly surcharge to $7 and the senior citizens rate to $4.50 from $9 effective Dec. 2, the staff will review the financial impact of the decreases.
“Even though we passed it, we may revisit the issue after the staff review,” Trustee Fred Dewald said. “I don’t think it’s right to hang a carrot in front of people and then say, `No, you can’t have it.’ “