Brewster applies for Commerce grant to help cover utility bill arrearages

BREWSTER – The city has applied for a State Department of Commerce (DOC) grant to help cover residential customer utility bill arrearages. City finance director Misty Ruiz announced at the regular monthly council meeting last Thursday, Nov. 17, the accounts at issue are from 2020 and 2021 and the DOC grant funding amount is $42,000.

After the council approved the application council member Jan May asked if the utility arrearages were that large. May Art Smyth replied that city arrearages are more than city with commercial bills factored in.

“This is only for residential,” reminded Ruiz.

The city will impose a three percent increase in lot leases in 2023 in the city-owned Angle Lake Trailer Court to try to keep pace with rising costs. The new rate schedule was approved by council in February of this year and the three percent increase will apply for every year through 2026.

“We haven’t had an increase for 2021 and 2022,” Smyth said.

Following a final public hearing on the 2023 budget the council adopted Ordinance 947, the 2023 budget.

Commenting on the November snowstorm that hit the city Council member John Housden noted: “I’ve been here forever, and I’ve never seen anything like this last go-round of snow and the damage it did.”

The wet, heavy snow was too much for trees that haven’t yet lost their leaves and resulted in many broken limbs and a large cleanup for the city. Downed live power lines were a danger until the PUD could cut the power source.

Public Works Director Lee Webster reported that the road to the yard waste dump site above Locust Grove Cemetery is now open for those who need a spot to haul broken limbs and other debris left after the storm.