It is the third increase in rates since 2000.

The need for the extra funds is understandable. The village is building a new reservoir to deal with increasing demand for water, particularly in the summer tourist season. The wastewater treatment plant needs $1 million dollars worth of upgrades and repairs in the next two years and the collection system, which dates to the 1880s, needs ongoing work.

"The sewer [rate] will have to be higher because of the refitting of a 35-year-old plant," said by sewer and water board chairman Dr. Theodore Peters. "We are under mandate to improve the intake lines."

Peters told the trustees that the sewer plant will need approximately $1 million worth of work in the next two years. The plant, he said, was built in the 1960s and had a life-expectancy of 20 years.

The one million dollar investment in the plant should add another 20 years to the life of the plant, according to Peters, who told the board that building a new plant could cost between $5 to $9 million, or more.

The village is also engaged in a program to repair deteriorating roadways and there is little sense in re-paving a street unless the water and sewer lines below the road are first repaired.

"I don't think anyone wants to raise the rates, but we have no choice," said mayor Carol Waller.

According to calculations made by Peters, the increase in rates should be sufficient to finance the projects facing the village.

There has been some grumbling about the ever increasing rates and residents may be prompted to look at water conservation efforts to lessen the increase.

At the same time, trustees need to understand they cannot keep going back to the well for another dip and should assure residents that this is the last hike they will see for far into the future.