“They’ve misled us. Yes, it’s going up 400 percent, but as most people have read that flier, they’re thinking, ‘oh my gosh, my sewer portion is going to go up 400 percent.’”

Only a small portion of the total sewer bill will increase 400 percent, but Whited said the flier made town residents believe the entire bill would quadruple. “One lady said she’s been sick to her stomach ever since she read that.”

Wilson said the town attorney composed the flier, and is worded correctly.

“Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s ethical,” Whited argued.

With the threat of a rate hike publicized throughout the town in the flier, council members are now confident that Anderson’s next council meeting will be filled with faces from their neighboring town. “I think their council needs to hear the residents. I don’t know how much they really know about the situation. They have a right to speak,” Taylor said.

Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com