Emilia Teasdale is reporting for The Columbia Paper more than 20 people attended a Chatham Village Board workshop on increased water and sewer rates for residents. Those in attendance expressed concern and frustration over being hit with a second substantial increase in their bills in less than 18 months. The previous increase also eliminated a minimum use charge. Mayor Tom Curran encouraged village residents who did not attend this meeting to submit written comments to the village. He also said, “Nobody’s happy” about the increase. Several residents said their rates doubled this time. According to the board presentation, rates for residents inside the village are going up from the current .045 cents per cubic foot of water to .073. The sewer rate would rise from .065 cents to .109. The projected deficit in the village sewer budget could be nearly $560,000 for the coming budget year, and the water deficit is projected to be just under $125,000. Asked about the deficits and why the previous increase did not close the funding gap, Curran said, “We raised the rates, but we didn’t raise them enough.” The board next meets 7 p.m., Thu., May 24, at Tracy Memorial Village Hall. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.