2024 Letter to Customers

Bell Sanitary District #1
PO Box 146
Cornucopia, WI 54827-0146

December 31, 2023

Happy New Year to you all!

Important News from 2023: 

This past year has seen new growth in the Town of Bell, which means welcoming new customers into our District, and looking to the future, we are in the planning and design stage of building a new lagoon for this increased use of our system. We are also in the process of replacing and upgrading much of the aging equipment and infrastructure.

The Board has determined that the residential rates for 2024 will see a minor increase.

The user fees for Gravity Line and Other Users that own their own grinder pump.

Your Annual Billing will be $380 with quarterly billing of $95.00. We will allow a $10.00 discount if the yearly balance is paid in full by January 31, 2024. So, you would pre-pay $370.00.

The user fees for Grinder Pumps Customers whose pumps are owned by the Bell Sanitary District.

Your annual billing will be $480 with quarterly billing of $120.00. We will allow a $10.00 discount if the yearly balance is paid in full by January 31, 2024. So, you would pre-pay $470.00.

Customers, if you would like to prepay for the entire year,  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.

Bell Sanitary District #1 – PO Box 146 – Cornucopia, WI 54827-0146

Please continue to use proper procedures to dispose of food waste and grease. Food waste is the number 1 contributor to elevated Phosphorus levels in our system. Grease in our system creates problems 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 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 2024 is $75.00 for the first hour 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 at 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, 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