HAXTUN, Colorado (STPNS) --     Expect to pay more to flush your toilet next year.

    Members of the Haxtun Town Board officially raised sewer rates during their Oct. 1 meeting.  Resolution 6-2006 raised rates from $14.50 per month to $16.50 for all residential and commercial users, effective Jan. 1, 2007.

    The increase comes in part from a stipulation included in a $305,000 loan from the Colorado Resource & Power Development Authority for improvements at the Town?s sewer lagoons.  The Town expects the state mandated improvements to cost $680,000, with the remaining $375,000 provided by Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact Grant.  The loan stipulated that the Town increase rates by at least 38 cents per tap per month.  Town Superintendent Lyle McBride told board members the additional increase is needed because maintenance would cost more once the upgrades on the lagoons are completed.



    Board members also passed Resolution 7-2006, which allows the Town to renew $28,741 on a note at the First National Bank of Haxtun for another year.  The original note, dated Oct. 1, 2001 for $150,000, was used to purchase a transformer and switchgear for the Town?s backup electric generator.

    Mayor Gay McDaniel told board members that representatives of the Phillips County Economic Development Corporation would like to meet with them before their next meeting on Oct. 16.  The pre-meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Haxtun Community Center, with the regular meeting to follow at 7 p.m. at the Center.

    Haxtun Police Chief Tanya Mayhew noted that she is warning citizens to be aware that scams involving promises of lottery and sweepstake winnings have been reported.  She said the scam is being run both on the telephone and through the mail, and citizens should be aware and not send money or give out personal information to anyone they do not know.  She suggested that citizens contact her if they receive any of these telephone calls or letters.

    For the month of Sept., Mayhew reported 122 service calls, with the highest number on Friday and Saturday.  Of the 122, 28 were animal calls, 14 sought assistance and 10 requested Vehicle Identification Number checks.  She also received eight calls regarding suspicious incidents and seven calls reporting crimes against property.

    The number of calls increased from 2005, both for the month and year to date, according to Mayhew.  In September 2005, the Department received 59 calls.  Year to date in 2005, the Department received 536 calls.  This year during that same time, the Department received 1,005 calls for service.