Bexley water, sewer & trash bills going up. John Matuszak reports for Bexley Public Radio

Bexley residents will see higher charges for water, sewer and trash collection services come Jan. 1, following votes by city council at its Dec. 15 meeting.

The 8.5 percent increase for water and the 6 percent hike in sewer rates are in response to increases from Columbus, which provides these services to Bexley, Service Director Bill Harvey explained.

Council voted 5-1 to pass along the increases to residents, with Mark Masser absent and Matt Lampke voting no.

Lampke explained that he is not sure that the sewer rate to be charged is enough to make sure the city's aging lines are being replaced at an adequate pace, and he would like to see more long-range planning on these kinds of issues.

Harvey responded that, if council did not pass the ordinance, he would not be able to charge the higher rate, leaving the city in a hole financially.

The Columbus increase is less than what it has been the last several years. Much of the need for rate hikes has come in response to EPA mandates for better treatment of sewage being released into waterways.

The jump in the cost for trash, recycling and yard waste collection resulted from the new, $1 million contract with Rumpke.

Residents age 59 and under will see quarterly bills increase to $73.50, from $60.50. This will put their annual trash bill at $294.

For the first time, residents age 60 to 65 will be eligible for the $18 annual discount offered by Rumpke. Their annual bill will be $246, an increase of $4.

Those 65 and over can receive the Rumpke discount along with the city discount of $50. Their annual bills will go from $$161 to $198.

Seniors do not automatically receive the rate reduction, but must inform the city of their eligibilty.

During the deliberations on the trash rates over the last several weeks, older residents pointed out that they are often on fixed incomes and the cost increase would create an added financial burden. They also noted that seniors usually generate less refuse than a family.

Harvey explained that resients 59 and under are paying more to provide the seniors with a lower rate.The charges to residents have to generate $1.1 million to cover the contract and additional costs.

There will be further adjustments to the rates the next two years, Harvey said, with younger residents probably charged a little less and seniors charged more to equalize the rates.

Rates could also fluctuate due to Rumpke's fuel adjustment surcharge and increases in tipping fees charged by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO).

BEXLEY CELEBRATIONS AND CITY BUDGET

Council did some last-minute tinkering with its own budget for 2010 before approving the $9.9 million general fund spending plan. A late addition included $5,000 for the Bexley Celebrations Association, which puts on the Fourth of July festivities, Easter egg hunt, Harvest Festival and holiday tree lighting.

BCA President Anne Lewis came to council last week asking for the donation, the first time the organization has requested funding from the city. They are also seeking support from Capital University and other sources.

The city expects to spend $1.7 million more than it takes in for the year.

The 2009 budget was bailed out by estate tax collections of $4.2 million, well over the $1 million estimated.

In addition to the general fund spending, the city plans to spend $5.2 million for capital projects that include street and water and sewer line repairs, and equipment and vehicle replacements.

Harvey told council that $3 million of that figure will allow the city to borrow money to accellerate its street repairs. The money has to be in the budget for the service director to hire contractors.

To get the best price, now is the time to get bids, Harvey said. With all of the federal stimulus moey available, companies are expected to be busy and costs will only rise later in the year, he added.

The boiler at city hall needs to be replaced and wiring for the emergency generator needs to be repaired, Harvey said.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
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Columbus, OH 43209
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Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

Bexley library board names Rachel Rubin new director. John Matuszak reports for Bexley Public Radio.

The Bexley Library Board of Trustees has appointed Bexley resident Rachel Rubin as the new director of the institution. The decision was made at a meeting Dec. 17.

Rubin was one of about 30 applicants for the position, and was among the four interviewed. She is the manager of the Old Worthington Library and is a Ph.D. candidate at Simmons College in Boston.

She will start her new job Feb. 1 at a salary of $75,000 a year. She replaces longtime diector Robert Stafford, who retired in August. Susan Studebaker is serving as interim director.

Rubin, who has lived in Bexley three years with her two cats, said she is excited to have the opportunity to a serve a community that appreciates education and its library, evidenced by the 76 percent of voters who approved a library levy in November.

Like many of the books she will oversee, Rubin's story had an unexpected twist.

The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, native said she never intended to enter the library field, even though her father works in the profession. But her interest in promoting literacy, particularly for children, led her to explore the discipline, and she found that she loved it.

After earning her master's degree from Kent State University, she went to work for the Worthington library, and left to work for Columbus Libraries before returning to manage the Old Worthington branch, where she has been for two years.

Several factors convinced her to seek the Bexley position.

"It's such a great facility. It's a wonderful building," she said of the Main Street landmark that opened in 1928. "There is such a potential to make it better."

She also lauded the knowledgeable staff. "There are so many things working together at once, it's a great opportunity."

With passage of the levy that offset some cuts in state funding, Rubin will head a library with more financial stability than many others, including Columbus, that have been forced to cut staff and hours.

Rubin wants to learn what people are looking for from their library before setting her own goals. But she said that improving services for children and young people, and keeping up with advances in technology, will be priorities.

During the campaign, the levy backers promised a teen lounge and wireless Internet technology as part of the planned improvements.

For her own fun reading, Rubin leans toward fiction. One of her favorite authors is Terry Pratchett, a humorous fantasy author of the "Discworld" series, along the lines of Douglas Adams, who wrote the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" books.

She has been involved in martial arts and also enjoys exploring area restaurants. Bexley Pizza Plus and Main Street's new sushi restaurant are two local favorites.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.