Water hike would be “a pass-thru”

Salem took its new budgets to a public hearing this week, and the clerk-treasurer says the hearing went well. The small Oconee town anticipates expenses and revenues to balance over the next 12 months, with total budget projections between $1.2 and $1.3 million, according to Kim Alexander, clerk-treasurer. Because wholesale water provider Seneca has announced higher charges as part of that city’s proposed utilities budget, the Salem mayor and council are taking a wait-see attitude on whether to raise its retail charges. “I would not imagine that any customer should see any more than, say, $1 to $1.10 in their water bills,” she said.