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By Will BRUMLEVE
will@fordcountychronicle.com
ROBERTS – A letter went out this week to all residences and businesses in the Village of Roberts, providing details on the upcoming replacement of their water meters.
In the letter, signed by Village Clerk Sarah Waterson, the job will take place the week of Monday, August 22nd through Friday, August 26th in Paris, IL. Working every week every week to finish the project in the shortest possible time.
“They plan to work from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,” the letter says.
Plantings will take place in various areas of the city including Main Street, Cemetery Road, Oak Street, Hickory Street and on Monday August 22nd. Green, Locust and Adda Streets on Tuesday, August 23; Illinois 54/115 and South, Weber, Hall, Dilks, Walnut and East Maple streets on Wednesday, August 24; Weldon, Melvin and West Maple streets on Thursday, August 25; And any properties that need to be rescheduled for Friday, August 26.
“This will slow the project down so the pipeline company will not ‘zig-zag’ around town,” the letter says. “So, we’re trying to do this as step-by-step as possible. Please make every effort to be home or a family member, friend, neighbor, etc. on your assigned street date. To accommodate plumbers.
“Estimated time for each home to complete the installation is about 15 minutes. The installers are asked to be at your home while they are there, and they ask that the area in your home be easily accessible so that nothing is blocking the meter area. If they have to move anything that is blocking the meter area, there is a $100 water charge per die pipe. It will be at the customer’s own expense.
The letter asked residents or businesses that “have a scheduling problem that could be solved using a different day this week” or “need some time to accommodate a workday to call Watterson at 217-369-8184.” Resolve Conflicts or Other Matters”
“If you are unable to make a 15 minute window for your renovation, you may schedule your own appointment with the plumber you contracted for this project with Die Plumber, but unfortunately it will be at your own expense,” the letter said.
Every home and business is required to install a new meter to ensure correct usage and billing, the letter said, “Failure to comply may result in the termination of your service.”
A village board member or village employee will be on site at each installation, the letter said.
“We appreciate all of you being flexible and patient with your board and installers during this time,” the letter said.
The village board voted in April to accept a $49,864 bid from Edinburg-based Midwest Meters to replace the town’s 175 water meters. The Midwest Meter bid included a five-year payment option for a total amount of $56,286. The board agreed to a five-year payment plan, with the first of the village’s annual payments to the Midwest meter next April.
Funds to pay for the project will come from a water rate increase approved by the board in April. A $9 increase in the monthly base water rate — from $40 to $49 — took effect May 1.
Having fully functional water meters should bring in some additional revenue to fund the project. The Illinois Rural Water Association estimates that Roberts is losing $17,877 a year due to inaccurate and malfunctioning water meters, and the city will begin collecting monthly water utility bills after the project is completed.
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