While the audience at the Burns Town Council meeting had little to say to the council Monday night, the mayor and council members addressed several pressing issues in a number of discussion items.

Councilman Harvey Humphrey gave the utility board report, which included news that utility rates need to increase.

“We looked at water rates with new meters,” Humphrey said. “We don’t have enough meters working correctly to make fair judgement, so we agreed to let it go until July and hope to have all of them working. The first of 2013 we will have an idea of any changes that need to be made.”

That said, Humphrey announced that after looking at the money in the utility board checking accounts and reserve accounts “all reserves are low, they are not where should be.”

As such, the board presented to council a rate increase on utilities. It would raise water by $4 per month, sewer by $2, and garbage by $2 for a total bill of $60 per month.

“The rates have been increasing from the landfill; we don’t want to get caught there,” Humphrey gave as part of the justification for the increase.

The sewer account has been depleted following a repair. The water account had $3,000 in checking and $11,000 reserves. Humphrey said if something happened the board would not have money to make repairs or replacements. He stressed that the increases will only go to reserve accounts, and they will go on forever. Residents will see the increase in the Feb. 20 bill.

Mayor Judy Johnstone added the state will come and lean on the town if its checking accounts and reserves are not built up.

“If we had a water pump go out right now, we’d be in trouble,” she said. “We have money in the utility board account, but it must be used for new projects, not repairs. While it may appear we have money, it isn’t where it counts.”

Councilman Phil Oakes said he was not objectionable to raising reserve accounts, but “eight bucks is eight bucks.” As there is one more meeting of council this month, he suggested posting the proposed change and allowing residents to attend the Jan. 23 meeting to “give fair chance for their voice to be heard.”

“The other thing that I might add is the UB (Utilities Board) reimburses town salaries,” Oakes said. “Can we hold off collecting it or a part to build reserves, to hold off raising rates right now?”

Johnstone said she would be more than willing to have that brought to the attention of the council after new rates are in effect. Clerk/treasurer Toni McNamer said the information needs to be put in utility billing and the rates need to be increased,

“I don’t think we should not charge (the utility board),” she said. “That’s my opinion as treasurer.”

“I have to say I think it has to be done,” Johnstone said. “People say they are on a fixed income, but everyone is unless they work in sales. If WWDC looked at these numbers, we would not get just a warning.”

Councilman Ralph Bartels said whether council was going to pass the rate increase or not was not the point.

“The point is that we are open and above board on what’s going on,” Bartels said. “According to the figures we’re going to approve it anyway. I move to table it to next council meeting and let the people have their say.”

“I agree, we are elected by the people; I would go along for one meeting,” Humphrey said.

“If anyone does show up to object, we can present the utility board documents,” said Oakes. “It could be if you don’t do this, you’ll be out of water.”

Discussion was also had concerning a couple of ordinances regarding elected officials. The first adds a section, which allows council to approve absences of council members. That same ordinance had incorrect wording regarding the time and day of council meetings. Council approved the addition to be made. It also approved the change to “have meetings on a routine schedule as determined by council” to be made. The updated ordinance will be submitted for a first reading at the next council meeting.

The second ordinance addressed, concerned election procedures for the town. Johnstone discovered the state statute the town had based its ordinance on was repealed in 1990. With that information, she asked council if it desired to follow a standard election (the Tuesday after the first Monday of May) or a charter election (the Tuesday following the second Monday in May).

The standard statewide is the Tuesday after the first Monday in May. Resident Jim Clark noted the difference in Burns’ elections and others in the area was due to other towns changing to a four-year term for officials. As Burns did not make that change the election day did not change.

Oakes’s opinion was that the town should “go with the state.” Johnstone said the election is held in odd number years, and there should be no impact on current terms or successive terms. She will have something ready in ordinance form for council to consider at its next meeting.

Johnstone told council there has been a complaint about dogs running at large, approaching people going to the post office. A letter reminding the owner of the leash law was sent during Oakes’s term as mayor. Bartels said there is a leash law in the county so the sheriff should be able to enforce it. Oakes said a letter should be sent and the sheriff’s department contacted. Johnstone will take the suggested action.

Humphrey used his report time to urge action concerning parking at the Burns-Plex. Parking is to be diagonal with entrance from the south. There is also adequate parking in the rear of the building for those participating in youth sports and other activities.

Johnstone said maintenance personnel have been waiting for good weather to paint lines in the front. Humphrey asked if there were signs available that could be posted until lines can be painted. Maintenance staff will post signs indicating there should be no parallel parking and traffic is one way from south to the north.

In a related issue, Bartels said he had a call from concerned residents regarding Jackson street and people not understanding the street is one way going south.

Bartels drives a small vehicle and checked to make sure signage was visible. Finding it was not, he asked maintenance staff to put a sign on the stop sign so it is easy to see no matter vehicle size. Johnstone added it might be another place for a “one way — do not enter” sign to be placed.

Bartels also brought a request made to maintenance workers to have a culvert put in where a resident gardens so he can drive in and out of the garden area. Oakes said if it is the resident’s property, he needs to pay for the culvert himself.

“The answer is if he wants it he pays,” said Johnstone. “The town will help with installation for a fee.”

Fire marshal Charles Vosler told council work is progressing with the emergency management plan for the county and he should have a full report soon. He also issued an alert for all residents.

“Be careful with fire,” he said. “It’s very dry and we’ve had a lot of fires lately.”

In new business, Johnstone was given permission from council to enter into a lease with Western Hay Brokers. The company wants to lease office space in south building of Burns-Plex. It is a standard lease for six months at the standard rate. Council approved the lease.

The next meeting of Burns Town Council is slated for Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Burns-Plex. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.