The Granby Board of Trustees met Oct. 24 to discuss budgets and plans for the proposed Granby Market Square.

The board approved the final plat submitted for Granby Market Square in a 5-2 vote. Trustee Rebecca Quesada and Trustee Deborah J.K. Shaw both voted against approving the final plat as is.

The meeting also included a budget workshop where the town explained that in order to fund the new water treatment plant for the north service area, water rates are expected to go up. The $26 million plant’s cost is going to be spread out between the 750-800 accounts in the area, if new rates are passed.

The water treatment plant has been in discussions for the past year by the board.

The north service area can expect an increase in water bills of approximately 52.8%. Water bills would increase from $195.41 to $298.66, which are billed quarterly.  

The north service area is north of the Fraser River and includes the Edgewater community on the Granby Bridge. Residents of the area get their water directly from the Fraser River.

Many residents came out to the meeting to express their apprehensions regarding the proposed rates.

Other service areas will also see changes in the coming year.

The Moraine Park area will see a 29% rate increase. Water bills will be going from $88.31 to $114.05. The west service area will see a decrease in rates from $55.75 to $44.01. The south service area will not see a water rate increase.

Ted Cherry, town manager, explained that the reason the rates are wildly different is because water prices goes back to water laws in Colorado. These areas all get their water from different sources, and water laws in Colorado don’t allow them to mix.

The public hearing and budget adoptions is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14. This will be the only board of trustees meeting held in November.