The Cortlandville Town board voted unanimously last night to raise water rates 18% and sewer rates by just under 13.5%.
 

The minimum water charge will go from $17.30 for six thousand gallons to $20.35, the sewer rate will increase from $23 to $26.10.
 

Town Board member John Proud who oversees the Town Water Department says the rate increases were necessary to fund the operation and maintenance of the water system.
 

Proud says the rate increases are not tied to the Town’s planned replacement of the Route 13 sewer line.
 

Proud says he compared the new rates to other municipal rates in the area, including those served by the Bolton Point water plant in Tompkins County, even with the increase the Town’s water and sewer rates are still competitive.
 

The new rates will take effect in the next bill, the Town is in the process of replacing all residential water meters, the work is nearly complete. The new meters are intended to give more accurate readings of customers water usage, and reduce the need to send an employee out to physically read the meters. 
 

The Town board approved $40 dollar fee that will be charged to property owners that don’t get their water meter replaced by March 30th.