By Heather Killen

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

The Town of Bridgetown is lowering its tax rate, and is looking at ways to introduce a new sewer rate.

John Langmead, chief administrative officer, said the town council agreed to lower its tax rate for both residential and commercial properties at its regular meeting on June 30.

The council has set the 2008-2009 residential tax rate at $1.80, down .13 from last year, while the commercial rate has been lowered to $3.52, down from $3.57.

Councillors also agreed to introduce a cost recovery program this year for its sewer treatment services. This policy will be drafted over the next month and if approved, the new sewer rate will likely be introduced later this year.

Langmead said the council is leaning towards introducing a sewer rate that is based on water consumption, rather than a flat rate charge.

In user-based systems residents can better control their costs, saving money whenever they conserve water. Those households using higher volumes of water, will pay higher sewer rates.

“We’re trying to make this as easy as we can,” he said. “The council will consider the proposal as early as August, and then if approved, public meetings will be held.”

He said that prior to any changes, notices will be mailed to residents explaining the proposed changes, and notifying them of the meeting dates.

Sewer rates are becoming standard charges within many towns and municipalities. The towns of Middleton and Windsor most recently introduced sewer rates with their tax bills.