City officials say the Massena City Council received an analysis of its utility funds for water, sewer, and solid waste disposal. The study concludes that utility rates must increase to keep the funds fiscally sound. Based on the recommendation, the Massena City Council has chosen to consider approving ordinances that include the following rate increases:

WATER RATE ORDINANCE: Ordinance No. 2025-1 entitled “An Ordinance providing for changes in rates for the City of Massena Municipal Water Utility.” Section 6-5-8 of the Massena City Code shall be amended to read as follows:

1. For all service addresses, water shall be furnished at the following monthly rates:

a. Base Rate: Each service address shall incur a minimum monthly charge of $50.00. This charge shall be applied per home, residential rental unit and/or business building per billing month. If a meter serves more than one home, residential rental unit and/or business building, the base rate charged to the account shall be increased accordingly.

b. Usage Rate. In addition to the base rate, each meter shall be billed for water used at the rate of $16.00* per 1,000 gallons used.

Effective date: the changes enacted by this Ordinance shall be effective upon due passage and publication according to law.

Ordinance No. 2025-2 entitled “An Ordinance providing for changes in rates for the City of Massena Municipal Wastewater Utility (Sewer Rent).” Section 6-5-10 of the Massena City Code shall be amended to read as follows:

1. All service addresses shall be charged for sewer at the following monthly rates:

a. Base Rate: Each service address shall incur a minimum monthly charge of $21.25. This charge shall be applied per home, residential rental unit and/or business building per billing month. If a meter serves more than one home, residential rental unit and/or business building, the base rate charged to the account shall be increased accordingly.

b. Debt Service Fee: Each service address shall incur a debt service fee of $15.00 per month. This charge shall be applied per home, residential rental unit and/or business building per billing month. If a meter serves more than one home, residential rental unit and/or business building, the debt service fee charged to the account shall be increased accordingly.

c. Usage Rate. In addition to the base rate, each meter shall be billed for sewer rent at the rate of $9.00 per 1,000 gallons used. Sewer usage shall be calculated based on the amount of water passing through the water meter associated with the account for any respective billing period.

Effective date: the changes enacted by this Ordinance shall be effective upon due passage and publication according to law.

Ordinance No. 2025-3 entitled “An Ordinance providing for changes in rates for the City of Massena Refuse Collection Utility (Garbage).” Section 6-5-9 of the Massena City Code shall be amended to read as follows:

1. There shall be collected by the City for its services in collecting garbage and rubbish, the following mandatory fees:

a. Residential Rate. For each resident with alley or curb pickup, $25.03 per month for one garbage or rubbish collection each week. In the event that alley or curb pickup for any residence is not feasible, the City Clerk is hereby empowered to enter into an agreement with such resident for any additional charge to be paid by such resident for any other location of pickup that may be agreed upon.

b. Commercial Rate. Rates for commercial establishments shall be established by the City Council.

c. Landfill Assessment Fee. A landfill assessment fee of $2.40 per premises shall be charged to all accounts regardless of the volume of waste generated.

d. Payment of Bills. All fees are due and payable under the same terms and conditions provided for payment of a combined service account as contained in Section 6-5-4 of this Code of Ordinances. Solid waste collection service may be discontinued in accordance with the provisions contained in Section 6-5-5 if the combined service account becomes delinquent, and the provisions contained in Section 6-5-5 relating to lien notices shall also apply in the event of a delinquent account.

“Any member of the public having objections or other input on the proposed utility rate increases may appear at the hearing and present said objections or input to the Council, and unless you do so the Council will act without considering said objections or input.”