Holyoke - City Councilor Kevin Jourdain announced today that when the new sewer rate increase of 5.40/ 1000 gals (up 16% from the current 4.66/1000 gals and up 177% from just 2 yrs ago) comes before the City Council on June 3, he will state his clear and unequivocal opposition to this unnecessary and gauging increase.
Councilor Jourdain among others on the Council predicted prior to the November elections that "They will be in for more right after the election!" Regrettably, his prediction was true. Anticipating that many Councilors would be hiding under their desks on this rate increase to get by the election, Councilor Jourdain pushed for the Council to go on record in opposition of the predicted increase to 5.38/1000 gals, yet those who voted for the first exorbitant increase tabled the measure and would not let their constituents know where they stood.
However, because of your calls and outrage over this issue and the mandate the public sent City Hall when 57% of the voters stated they did not want the Aquarion boondoggle, support among City Councilors for Aquarion and its bogus rate predictions is finally beginning to show serious stress cracks. There is even a proposal now before the Council co-sponsored by Aquarion supporters to study getting us out of the contract.
How much longer can the supporters of this disaterous mistake continue to say with a straight face that this is the low cost alternative for Holyoke's sewer needs? How much longer can the Mayor and certain Councilors honestly keep heaping more and more rate increases on the backs of ratepayers before the ratepayers say enough is enough?
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Councilors who opposed the privatization of our sewer plant saw through the "pie in the sky" predictions and have opposed from Day One the overcharging of ratepayers beyond what was truly needed to make the $24 million in necessary improvements mandated by the EPA to the sewer plant. To pay a bond on $24 million at the 2% state rate costs approximately $1.5 million per year. Considering that according to DPW reports for every dollar increase in the rate, the city raises approximately $2 million in revenue, one wonders where all of this extra money is going? We know Aquarion is doing quite well off of us but why is this allowed?
Under public control, you had direct accountability and stable rates for decades. At 1.95/1000 gals your rate was among the lowest in the area. Under public control, with federal assistance and low interest loans your sewer rate to support the plant should never have to been more than $3.00 to $3.20 maximum per 1000 gals to make the improvements. That would have been a one-time increase. With Aquarion, every time you turn around you are getting hit with another increase and demand for more money that you cannot afford.
No one likes to pay more but when it is not justified makes it an even more bitter pill to swallow. The current rate of 4.66 is simply outrageous and to now increase it again to 5.40 is over the top. This will be a very close vote and the ratepayers and voters should let their Councilors know enough is enough.
This issue will be heating up again and please always feel free to contact Kevin regarding your thoughts on the issue. Stay tuned to Holyoke First for all of your sewer rate and other City Hall news and updates!
Re-Elect Holyoke's Fiscal Watchdog!
