Hopedale council approves water rate increases, sets cleanup day

The March 18 meeting of Hopedale Village Council saw a number of issues that will be happening around the county addressed, with one being cleanup day, but first council took care of new water rates for the next three years. The rates for four groups were set: residents in and out of town and businesses in and out of town.

The rates for 2026 begin in April, but Councilmember Willie Luther said residents will not see it on their bill until May. The base rate will increase by 25 cents for each consumer group and will be effective April 1.

Base rate increases for 2027 for all in-town consumers will be 25 cents, effective Jan. 1. For out-of-town consumers, that rate will increase by 50 cents.

For 2028 base rate increases, in-town consumers will be up by 50 cents and out-of-town consumers will rise by 75 cents, both taking effect Jan. 1. Base rate increases for 2029 will be the same 50 and 75 cents, respectively, and take effect Jan. 1. It was noted that water currently has a monthly surcharge of $25. All rates were approved unanimously.

Also, Hopedale set its cleanup day for May 9, including Green Township. The time runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be at the Hopedale Fire House, 103 Firehouse Lane.

The flyer provided by Mayor Mike Pelegreen states that ID is required and all small items are required to be bagged or boxed. Items that are accepted are furniture, bulk items, mattresses, washers and dryers, refrigerators, furnaces, metal and aluminum, televisions and computers.

Items not accepted are house garbage, tires, roofing shingles, brick and blocks, microwaves, batteries and liquids or fluids.

Pelegreen said the cost for both Hopedale and Green Township would be $1,196 for each of the four dumpsters “without the extra tonnage,” but it was the same price as it has been for the last two years, according to Councilmember Willie Luther.

“The difference is we’re going [with] 44-yard dumpsters,” Luther said.