SILVER CREEK — Many Silver Creek residents shared their outrage on social media following the publication of an increase to village water and sewer bills. One resident decided to speak on behalf of the outraged community at a recent Silver Creek Village Board meeting.

Michael Shearer, a resident of the village, raised concerns about the debt service increase and spending associated with the village’s Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) project to the Village Board. His discussion with the Board during open public comments lasted approximately 10 minutes.

“I’m obviously not very happy with this. Considering the cost of everything we’re going through, from the grocery stores to everything else, this is the last thing we need on top of all of that,” Shearer said.

An increase to the quarterly debt charge of $21.14 to each resident’s bill was approved by the Village Board upon the recommendation of the village’s accountant, Bahgat and Laurito-Bahgat. The quarterly debt charge was previously $65 per customer, but has raised to $86.14 each quarter – an annual increase of $84.56 to each customer.

The increase was deemed necessary to cover the cost of the village’s Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) project, which was mandated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through a consent order issued in 2012.

To address wastewater overflows to the village’s treatment process during high water events such as storms, the DEC required five phases of work, including the lining of sewer transmissions, smoke testing to identify inflow, and the removal of residential and commercial pumps. The village has been informed that the work to date satisfies the requirements and the upgrades should be in good standing for 40-50 years.

The cost of the first two phases of the improvements — in the amount of $1,113,522 — was financed by a low-interest loan in 2017 through the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation. Phases 3-5 of the project came at a cost of $3,046,167, which was financed through an interest-free loan through the Environmental Facilities Corporation and a Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant of $755,317.

“We didn’t have a choice when we started this project,” Deputy Mayor Kathy Tampio said. “Each time a phase was completed, the DEC came back and said that’s not enough. … I think the Village did all they could at the time to get a zero interest loan, subsequent loans, and the over $700,000 in grant funds through the State.”

Due to the cost of all five phases of the project — as mandated by the DEC — the annual debt cost is $459,294.43. That amount is shared by the village’s 1,333 customers. A total debt service charge per customer amounts to $344.56 per year.

Shearer stated his most recent water bill was $343, compared to $215 when he moved to Silver Creek in 2018. Shearer cited a past audit of the Village as reasoning for calling for more transparency on where the money is being spent and the cost of the five phases of work.

“Where is the accounting for this? This needs to be made available to the citizens. We’ve got to foot this bill,” Shearer said. “… I think there should be some transparency about how this was handled and where that money has gone to.”

Shearer was critical of the Village for not taking more steps to inform residents of the increase. He suggested mailing a notice to residents with their water bill and social media posts in local groups online.

The Village Board held a public hearing prior to approving the increase. The information and explanation was posted on the Village’s website, the Village of Silver Creek Facebook page, and was previously reported by the OBSERVER.

Tampio responded to Shearer’s comments by stating the Village has documentation regarding the project and the payment schedule on file at the Village Clerk’s Office.

“I’m more than willing to sit down with you, and I’m sure (Mayor Jeff Hornburg) will be. We can show you all this stuff,” Tampio said.