Emilia Teasdale is reporting in The Columbia Paper on the efforts of the Chatham Village Board to increase its water and sewer rates. A workshop on the proposal was held late last month. Under the new rate structure the existing minimum use charge would be eliminated. Instead, residents would be billed every three months for the actual amount of water used. Users would be charged [point] 045 cents per cubic foot, and [point] 065 cents per cubic foot for sewer. That amount would be doubled for properties located outside of the village. Under the new plan, the Price Chopper market, which is in its own special water and sewer district, would see an increase in its water bill of approximately 41 percent, and its sewer bill would grow by 58 percent. If the board approves the rates this month, the changes will take effect in time for the first quarter billing cycle, in March. Village Clerk Barbara Henry said the proposed rates are available at her office in village hall. Her office will also send a mailer and add the information to the village website, villageofchatham [dot] com, as well as its Facebook page, Village of Chatham NY. The board will hear public comment on the proposed water and sewer rates, 6:30 p.m., Thu., Feb. 9 at Tracy Memorial Hall. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.