The town of Bethany is seeking rate increases for water and sanitary sewer services it provides to its residential and commercial customers.

The proposed increased rates and charges will become effective April 1, unless otherwise ordered by the Public Service Commission. The rate hikes would produce about $12,324 annually in additional revenue, an increase of approximately 14 percent. The average monthly bill for various classes of customers will change as follows:

• $3.95, or 14 percent, per month for residential, commercial and other metered customers based on 3,000 gallons per month

• $3.95, or 10 percent, per month for residential, commercial and other non-metered customers.

The increases are based on averages of all customers in the indicated class. Individual customers may receive increases that are greater or lesser than average. The requested rate increases are only a proposal and are subject to change by the Public Service Commission in its review of this filing. The commission will review the increases only upon the filing of a petition within 30 days of the adoption of the ordinance changing the charges, by:

• Any customer aggrieved by the changed rates or charges who presents to the Commission a petition signed by not less than 25 percent of the customers served by such municipally operated facility; or

• Any customer who is served by a municipally operated public utility and who resides outside the corporate limits and who is affected by the change in said rates and charges and who presents to the Commission a petition alleging discrimination between customers within and without the municipal boundaries. Said petition shall be accompanied by evidence of discrimination; or

• Any customer or group of customers who are affected by said change in rates who reside within the municipal boundaries and who presents a petition to the Commission alleging discrimination between said customer or group of customers and other customers of the municipal utility. Said petition shall be accompanied by evidence of discrimination.

All petitions should be addressed to the Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission of West Virginia, 201 Brooks St., P.O. Box 812, Charleston, WV 25323.

A complete copy of the proposed rates, as well as a representative of the utility to provide any information requested concerning it, is available to all customers, prospective customers, or their agents at any of the following offices of the utility: Town of Bethany, Bethany Community Center, 326 Church St., Bethany, WV 26032; or Cynthia Hoffman, recorder, at 304-829-4539.

A copy is also available for public inspection at the office of the Executive Secretary of the Public Service Commission at 201 Brooks St., P.O. Box 812, Charleston, WV 25323.