Holley water rate going up

Next month, water users in the Village of Holley will see an increase of 30 cents per 1,000 gallons of water.

Village Mayor William Quaranto said the price increase is long overdue and is necessary to help maintain the village's infrastructure. "We haven't raised the water rates in a while," he said. "Unfortunately, we have been operating with a deficit in the water department so this is a necessary increase."

The last increase was from $2.45 to $2.80 in May 2001. Prior to that, the rates had remained static since 1991. The new water rates will be $3.10 per 1,000 gallons.

The higher rates will take effect November 1 and will help pay for maintenance and upgrades to hydrants, wells and village water lines. Quaranto said the village is also planning to drill a municipal water well to add to Holley's water supply.

"We held off for as long as we could but with the condition of the water department, we had to raise the rates," Quaranto said.