2023 Letter to Customers
Bell Sanitary District #1
PO Box 146
Cornucopia, WI 54827-0146
December 31, 2022
Happy New Year to you all!
Important News from 2022:
This past year has seen some new growth in the Town of Bell, several new homes, which means welcoming new customers into our District, and looking forward, planning for this new increased use of our system.
The Board has determined that, after two years of no increase, the residential rates for 2023 will see a small increase due to inflation.
The 1.0 User Fee for gravity line customers in 2023 will be $90.00 quarterly.
The 1.0 User Fee for grinder pump customers will be $115.00 quarterly.
We are actively planning for an additional lagoon and containment areas around the lagoons. The board has applied for a grant to assist with the cost of these projects. We hope to hear some good news early next year.
After many months of testing, we have discovered that our phosphorus numbers have been increasing, the biggest cause is food scraps, if at all possible, avoid using the garbage disposal and simply dispose of them in the garbage or compost.
There continues to be a grease problem in both the lift stations and the grinder pumps. We cannot allow liquid or solid animal or vegetable fat into the collection system. We recommend that they be allowed to harden and disposed of in the garbage.
There are products on the market that are “flushable”. They cannot be used in our collection system and do cause problems and pump failures. They include paper towels, baby wipes and diapers, and “disposable” cleaning wipes. Please do not flush them into the collection system as you will be billed for the repair.
The board will again allow a $10.00 discount if the 2023 charges are paid in full by January 31, 2023.
Please mail the prepayment to:Bell Sanitary District #1 – PO Box 146 – Cornucopia, WI 54827-0146
The user fees for Gravity Line and Other Users that own their own grinder pump.
Your quarterly billing will be $90.00. We will allow a $10.00 discount if paid by January 31, 2023. So, you would pre-pay $350.00.
Owned
The user fees for Grinder Pumps Customers whose pumps are owned by the Bell Sanitary District.
Your quarterly billing will be $115.00. We will allow a $10.00 discount if paid by January 31, 2023. So, you would pre-pay $450.00.
All Customers, please remember to pay the balance due on the statement provided (if any) as well as the amount for the prepayment. If you are not sure, please contact me.
The statement included with this note discloses all the activity in your account for 2022 and has the 4th quarter billing (if applicable) included. If you wish to prepay your 2023 user fee, you must pay any amount due on the statement as well. (It is reported on the bottom of the statement as AMOUNT DUE).
If you have any questions, please call Pauline Colamatteo – Business Manager – Bell Sanitary District #1
The board wishes to reiterate to all users that any blockage of the collection system within the property lines is the responsibility of the property owner. Any obstruction within the collection system that can be identified as originating from any user will be the responsibility of that user. The service rate for 2023 is $75.00 per hour with a 1 hour minimum and $50.00 per hour thereafter, until the repair has been completed.
If your system is not working properly, contact our certified operators, Kris Johnson or Mark Lutz, for assistance and advice. Any mechanical or electrical malfunction resulting from permitted use will normally be the responsibility of the Bell Sanitary District #1. If you have any questions, please call.
All work on the collection system must be monitored by our operation’s staff and repairs must be made promptly. For grinder pump users, we recommend that you leave the power to the grinder pump installation on, for maintenance purposes. For maintenance information regarding your specific system, please contact the Operators.
The capacity of the sanitary district’s collection system is near the design capacity and permitted influent. In order to meet the current needs of the district users, we all need to ensure that only allowable wastewater enters our lagoon system. The board is planning a new wastewater treatment plant to dispose of holding tank loads which will be located at our current site. We continue to monitor governmental grants and funding opportunities and consult with our engineering firm regarding our options and estimated costs. We will keep you informed.
We will continue to be very vigilant, this year, looking for well overflows and floor drains that are currently draining into the collection system. These types of drains are not allowed to enter the collection system. The owner must repair these substandard situations, or the board can act, including having the repairs made, fines, and putting any amounts not paid in full, on the property tax bill, with interest.
The User Fee Ordinance #1 is our governing document. The complete copy is available by request or on our website, www.bellsanitary.org. Please visit the website. If you have questions, please call.
If you have any questions, please contact Mark Ehlers, President. Our email address is [email protected].
Names and Numbers:
Kris Johnson – Certified Operator 715-742-3352
Mark Lutz – Certified Operator 763-442-0427
Mark Ehlers – District President 715-742-3924
Jesse Kaseno – Commissioner 715-742-3422
Philip Moye- Commissioner 612-597-1405
Pauline N Colamatteo-Business Manager 715-742-3924
William Krause – Maintenance 507-251-3859
Pauline N Colamatteo
Pauline N Colamatteo – Business Manager