Good afternoon, attached is a hand out I prepared to address the recent Water Co''s rate increase - request in addition to their already high rates. The update was to notify you that the Public Service Commission has approved the rate increase requested several months ago by the NY American Water Co. In summary - as stated on the attached - an average consumer currently paying some $850+ a year will now be paying some $1,350. a whooping increase of some 60% (This increase also covers the projected either rehab or replacement of the GH Water tower.) The PSC has felt compelled to approve this increase primarily due to the high taxes supposedly being passed on to a utility like the Water Co.
These news will be announced by the water company to all of its customers shortly, along with their announcement to change to a monthly, instead of quarterly, billing - they wish to have our money faster.
OUR OPTIONS AS A COMMUNITY (DISCUSSED AT OUR MEETING):
* Go forward with previous discussions of eminent domain. We decided to consult with specialized attorneys and with the help of George Esernio a small selection of attorneys will be contacted to discuss estimated costs and approach. This would be a lengthy and expensive proposition that would help the community rid of the current water company and pass the services to a municipal water company for a fee - all estimated to be a much less expensive proposition than the current one. FOR THIS OPTION TO TAKE EFFECT THE CIVICS WOULD NEED MUCH GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION THAN THE LOW ATTENDANCE (OVER 120 NEIGHBORS) WHO ATTENDED THE MAY 2, 2017 TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE SUBJECT.
* The second alternative is to discuss a complex option to work, along with the water company, in seeking tax exception for them as municipalities running their own water companies are treated, meaning approx. two thirds of the current rates passed on to us as consumers would be dropped. Since taxes do not go away, the utilities who would then inherit the payment of these taxes would pass them on across all of their consumers in Long Island.
* Of course the last option is to do nothing and this option was discussed if there is not enough community participation.
NEXT STEPS:
Civics to meet with attorneys to assess the eminent domain option and explore (with the help of Carole Mundy), media and legislators' more active participation on this community's cause.
Any questions please let me know. Regards.
George Pombar
These news will be announced by the water company to all of its customers shortly, along with their announcement to change to a monthly, instead of quarterly, billing - they wish to have our money faster.
OUR OPTIONS AS A COMMUNITY (DISCUSSED AT OUR MEETING):
* Go forward with previous discussions of eminent domain. We decided to consult with specialized attorneys and with the help of George Esernio a small selection of attorneys will be contacted to discuss estimated costs and approach. This would be a lengthy and expensive proposition that would help the community rid of the current water company and pass the services to a municipal water company for a fee - all estimated to be a much less expensive proposition than the current one. FOR THIS OPTION TO TAKE EFFECT THE CIVICS WOULD NEED MUCH GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION THAN THE LOW ATTENDANCE (OVER 120 NEIGHBORS) WHO ATTENDED THE MAY 2, 2017 TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE SUBJECT.
* The second alternative is to discuss a complex option to work, along with the water company, in seeking tax exception for them as municipalities running their own water companies are treated, meaning approx. two thirds of the current rates passed on to us as consumers would be dropped. Since taxes do not go away, the utilities who would then inherit the payment of these taxes would pass them on across all of their consumers in Long Island.
* Of course the last option is to do nothing and this option was discussed if there is not enough community participation.
NEXT STEPS:
Civics to meet with attorneys to assess the eminent domain option and explore (with the help of Carole Mundy), media and legislators' more active participation on this community's cause.
Any questions please let me know. Regards.
George Pombar
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