Come the start of the new year, Bowmanstown residents can expect to see a $5 increase in their monthly sewer rates.

On a 5-1 vote, borough council at its special budget meeting on Tuesday agreed to raise the sewage rate from $53 to $58 per month, effective Jan. 1, 2021. Councilwoman Pam Leiby was opposed.

Councilman Darren Thomas noted the last time the sewer rate was increased was back in 2007.

Thomas said the reason for the increase is on account of the added increases in the cost of living, along with the “current and (unrelenting) pursuit of trying to keep the disposable rags issue under control even though the public is not heeding the warnings.”

Council President William Ravert said that during a recent visit he made to the borough’s sewer plant, he observed the screw on top of the tanks was full of nondisposables.

Ravert said that while he hates to see an increase of any kind, residents need to do a better job of listening.

“If they don’t want to listen, then we have to hit them in their pocketbook,” Ravert said. “They do not listen.”