Bowmanstown residents will see a $5 increase in their monthly sewer bills next year.

On a 3-2 vote, borough council on Tuesday adopted a resolution to raise the monthly sewer rate from $53 to $58, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Councilmen Darren Thomas and Rob Moyer, along with council President William Ravert were in favor. Councilwomen Pam Leiby and Kara Scott were opposed.

Council’s decision comes after it agreed last month on a 5-1 vote, with Leiby opposed, to raise the sewage rate.

At that time, Thomas noted the last time the sewer rate was increased was back in 2007.

Thomas previously said the reason for the increase is because of 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.”

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.

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