SEA CLIFF VILLAGE SUBMITS COMMENTS TO PSC OPPOSING NY AMERICAN WATER RATE INCREASE
March 1, 2017 -- This past week, the Village of Sea Cliff submitted comments to the New York State Public Service Commission expressing its opposition to New York American Water's applications that seek permission for a 8.1% rate hike and to merge the Sea Cliff Water District with the Merrick Water District.
"Our water ratepayers are being asked once again to unreasonably subsidize the New york American Water Company's past financial practices resulting in an inequitable cost distribution upon our residents," wrote Mayor Edward Lieberman in a letter to the Commission. "In addition, the proposal of Service Area 2 does not address potential inequities between our Sea cliff residents and those of the Merrick area." He continued that the rate hike would "place an insufferable and unjustifiable burden upon our residents who are young people, hard-working families and senior citizens." The Sea Cliff Water District includes not only the Village of Sea Cliff but also Glen Head and Old Brookville as well as parts of Glenwood Landing and Glen Cove. The request by NY American Water comes after it received permission by the Public Service Commission to impose a $320 surcharge on Sea Cliff Water District customers this year. Additionally the for-profit company is seeking approval from the Town of Oyster Bay Planning Board to construct a new $5 million water tower in Glen Head, the cost of which would be incurred by ratepayers. At the February 13 Sea Cliff Village Board meeting, resident Douglas Behrman raised the issue during the Public Comment portion of the meeting and urged the Village and its residents to take action and make their voices heard. The public comment period closes on March 6. Any member of the public who wishes to submit comments to the Public Service Commission regarding these proposals may do so by email to [email protected] or by calling a toll free opinion line at 1-800-335-2120, or by mailing comments to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Albany, NY 12223-1350. All comments should refer to “Case# 16-W-0259 – New York American Water Rates” and must be received by the PSC by 03/06/2017. BACK TO WEEKLY |
