As part of an ongoing effort to not only inform the public about capital projects and rate increases, but to involve them in decision making and management of public utilities, the Village of Spencerport has scheduled two public information meetings Wednesday, June 20.

At 7 p.m. village officials will discuss a pending 11.8 percent electric rate hike. In January, village officials announced a ten percent increase in the hydroelectric portion of Spencerport Municipal Electric customers’ bills. Village Administrator Alan R. Scheg said when that rate increase was submitted to the New York State Public Service Commission it was found to be insufficient.

"The PSC required an additional $180,644 in revenue per year," he said. That represents a revenue increase of 8.46 percent for the electric franchise which will require the 11.78 percent increase in electric rates, in place of the earlier 10 percent hike.

Scheg said officials will be presenting the reasons behind the rate hike, as well as taking comments and questions, at this week’s meeting. There was no opposition and little discussion at January’s information meeting.

At 8 p.m., village officials and engineers will discuss to-date results of the village’s more than $1 million water capital improvement project, along with recommendations for the next phase of work, and water rate increases.

"I expect a more lively discussion at this one," said Scheg. Water pressures in the village have long been a sore spot for some. Phase 1 of the capital improvement project, begun in 1999, and the first part of Phase 2, have improved fire flows and the village’s insurance rating, and made some localized improvements to water pressure.

"Engineers can go out and do their modeling…," Scheg said. "But nothing smacks home like a person at home when they open a faucet."

Now decisions must be made balancing quality of life issues with cost to village taxpayers and water customers. Engineers have five different recommendations for the village—each one improves pressure in some areas but not others, and each one has a price tag. "We may do some, or all," Scheg said. "We want to involve the public in the process."

The consecutive meetings are open to the public and will be held at the fire hall, 175 Lyell Avenue.