WINTERSVILLE — Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi Thursday told Wintersville Council that about 15 water bills have been returned undeliverable by the U.S. Post Office and others are expected.

Kosegi said the bills were addressed to customers on several streets, and the reason for their return is unclear.

At last month’s meeting, he said the local postmaster suggested the loose, perforated cards sent by the village might have been caught in a sorting machine used at another post office where all mail is sent to be sorted.

But Kosegi said none of the returned cards was damaged, though he said there are plans to switch to a non-perforated form with additional space for larger lettering and special announcements.

Last month Kosegi, said several residents of Rex Avenue reported not receiving their water bills, but the village since has received bills that appear not to have reached several other streets, with still more coming back from the local post office.

So far, village officials have maintained all late payments must include the late charge out of concern that dishonest customers will attempt to claim they also didn’t receive their bills.

Kosegi said the water bills are always due on the 20th of each month and those who don’t receive their bills can call (740) 264-7171 to learn how much they owe.

He said customers also can pay by phone or in person at the Village Building, though a 3 percent fee will be applied to those payments.

Kosegi advised for two days last week, staff with the water department underwent training for a new billing system that will be tied to radio-transmitted water meters recently installed for hundreds of water customers.

The new system is expected to make it possible for customers to make online payments, and Kosegi said the goal is to make that available before the end of the year.

In related business, council adopted an ordinance establishing the village won’t provide a discount on water or sewer bills for customers while on vacation.

Such discounts are prohibited by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Kosegi said the village hadn’t formally adopted one, and the ordinance is intended to reinforce that.

As a result, water customers will pay the minimum rate of $29 per 3,000 gallons when they are away from home and sewer customers will pay the minimum rate of $11.10 per 1,000 gallons while away from home.

Kosegi said a waiver for garbage collection fees for customers who are going to be away for months can be arranged.

In other business:

• Councilman Jason Mattern said council’s streets and sanitation committee recently met and discussed obtaining equipment that wouldn’t require commercial driver licenses to operate and street paving that may be done around water line replacement projects for which the village is seeking state funds.

• Councilwoman Gael Damron announced the Wintersville Beautification Committee will hold its second Barktoberfest from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the dog park at the Edward P. Laman Community Park behind the Village Building.

The event will include a pet costume contest, food trucks and a dedication of the bite suite provided for the Wintersville Police K-9 unit by the Fort Steuben Kennel Association.

The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County also has planned a dog-themed story walk near the park.

There also will be a trunk-or-treat, with free treats and toys for dogs, and anyone interested in bringing items for that can call (740) 632-7140 or (740) 317-3381.

• Bob Laukert, council’s representative to the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority, advised ridership for the public transportation service this summer was down about 6.7 percent in the village and 15.3 percent overall.

He said the decline has been attributed to the absence of students traveling to and from school and isn’t expected to impact the agency.

He said the SVRTA is slated to receive five new buses within two weeks and they will be put into service once they have been detailed and security cameras and other equipment have been installed.

• Mayor Mike Petrella announced Halloween trick-or-treat hours for the village will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30.