Residents of new houses built since 1999 are paying a debt service fee of $50 per quarter. They will be exempt from the proposed fee until 2020, when the debt service fee will expire, and be replaced by the capital improvement fee.

A letter is being mailed to all water customer explaining the proposal.

Two 7 p.m. meetings will be held Dec. 3 and Dec. 14 for residents to comment at the Municipal Center, 31 W. Main St. in Middletown .

The funds generated by the capital improvement fee will help cover the town's yearly loan payments for improvement projects already made to the water and wastewater systems including the water tower, waterline replacements, inflow and infiltration projects and the east wastewater treatment plant.

The fund is for residents to pay for the upkeep of the town's water and sewer system. Since 1996, the town has funded the majority of these loan payments with income generated from growth, in the form of tap fees.

The town's goal is for growth projects to be paid for by future growth, not by current water system customers. Residents will pay for maintenance and replacement of the system.

The town is also refinancing a portion of existing debt to a lower interest rate to reduce the town's yearly costs.

The proposal is a result of six months of public meetings by the burgess and commissioners and the water and sewer committee.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for Monday. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.