Customers receiving sewer service from the Northern Blair County Regional Sewer Authority better take a few extra dollars with them when they pay their bills in February.
Leo Matuszewski, secretary/treasurer of NBCRSA, announced this morning that rates will increase from $36 per month to $40 for service, and tap-on fees will increase from $1,000 to $3,200.
“There were really two main reasons we had to do this,” said Matuszewski. “First, when Westvaco left, it only left us with two entities that support the authority. Those being Tyrone Borough and Northern Blair County. Our costs since then have increased dramatically, to the tune of about 33 percent. That’s a killer.
“Second, and with the Pinecroft plant now being finished, which is a $5 million upgrade on the plant, we’re now left with about a $1 million debt at the Logan Plant.
“There’s just no way we can stay solvent if we don’t raise the rates.”
Matuszewski said if there is anyone who is planning to tap into the NBCRSA line should do so before the higher rates take effect, beginning Feb. 1.
According to Tim Nulton, operator of the Tyrone treatment facility, the rate hike “shouldn’t affect residents of Tyrone Borough at all.”
Tyrone Borough Manager Al Drayovitch was unavailable for comment this morning.
