On Monday, Seven Fields Borough Council approved the first increase to its water rate in more than a decade.

In a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Kevin Caridad the only one to vote against it, council approved an increase of 7 cents per 1,000 gallons in the year 2021, bringing the total rate to $9.25 per 1,000 gallons.

Council first discussed the possibility of this increase in October, with Caridad then dismissing the idea, saying the borough had more than enough in reserves to cover the projected $75,000 water fund deficit should it not have approved the hike.

Based on the average water use of an average American — about 88 gallons per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — a single person would see their monthly water bill increase by about 18 cents. A family of four would see a 74-cent hike per month.

Council also extended the agreement it has with neighboring municipalities to synchronize their traffic signals to keep cars flowing.The Southwest Pennsylvania Commission's SINC-UP program, which includes Route 228 in Seven Fields as well as Adams and Cranberry townships, aims to reduce fuel consumption, the number of vehicle hours of travel, and vehicular stops by re-timing traffic signals.Borough manager Tom Smith said it was the best way to improve traffic efficiency along Route 228 in the borough, and that it would be well worth its roughly $15,000 cost to Seven Fields that is funded by a grant.“This is really something we can do at the current time, until 228 is widened to the four lanes as proposed by the widening project down the road,” he said. “That may happen when funding is actually appropriated to our communities along the 228 corridor.”This project impacts the intersections of Route 228 with Castle Creek Drive at both junctions and of Route 228 with Adams Ridge Boulevard, Smith said.

Council on Monday met wholly by Zoom for the first time in several months, as the borough office is closed because of COVID-19 concerns.That became effective Monday evening “due to the increase in the COVID cases in Butler County and the surrounding areas,” Smith said. Most employees will be working from home with the exception of public works employees and police officers.“Hopefully, we'll get through this sooner than later,” he said.