Avalon residents who thought they were going to get a break next year on sewer-related fees will be disappointed.

Not only is the borough council planning to extend the surcharge, but ALCOSAN has increased its rates and fees for 2010.

Like most municipalities, Avalon imposed a surcharge to pay for sewer line repairs mandated by the federal, state and county governments. The ordinance authorizing the surcharge contained a "sunset clause" that automatically terminated the charge in 2010. According to council president Ed Klicker, officials wanted to avoid creating a "slush fund" that could be used in the future for other projects.

Avalon's sewer deficiencies have been corrected, but the borough still has to pay off the PennVEST loan that funded the repairs. That will take another 4-5 years, according to finance committee chairman Tom Michalow.

Council is expected to vote next month on an amendment to the ordinance that will extend the fee.

At council's Nov. 17 meeting, officials also voted to accept ALCOSAN's 2010 rates, which include an increase of 27 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used, and a 56 cents increase in the quarterly service charge, according to council member Albert Wurst.

The fees were accepted in a 7-2 vote with Vicki Donnelly and Ralph Cortese opposed.