Shedding
some light…October 8, 2013 meeting
Drill a well –
The
Capital Improvement Plan & Water Rate Study is complete. Discussion at
last night’s meeting centered on which of the three options the water department should pursue to increase the
water rates.
The
most likely option will be a 5-year planned rate increase with the largest
increase in water rates the first year.
This
second scenario calls for:
Year
1 - 23% increase
Year
2 – 4.7 % increase
Year
3 – 4.8 % increase
Year
4 – 4.9 % increase
Year
5 - 1.6 % increase
Close
to a 40% increase in water rates over 5 years. There was no vote taken, but a
water rate increase will be voted on before the December billing cycle.
The
Water Capital Improvement Plan & Rate Study may be posted soon to the website.
They are very large files.
In
other news- there are issues with truck 32. It has been out of service since
June. Capital projects that will need attention soon:
Paint
the inside of Ladder Hill - $180,000
Refurbish
the motor/pump on one of the Maple St. wells - $20,000.
Light Department –
The
Electric Rate Study is incomplete at this time. The firm performing the work is
using a Cost of Service model, which will review time of use, elimination of
the transition charge, possible low- income credit. It is anticipated that this
study will recommend a small decrease in residential electric rates.
NRHS
is applying for a DOER grant. Information was provided by the Light department
to facilitate the grant.
Wind
Turbine Blade inspection-
The
wind turbine blades were inspected. There is a small hole that will need to be
repaired but does not impact the operation of the turbine at this point. The
light department is seeking a third quote to repair the blade as the price for
the repair came in very high.
LED
streetlights –
The
project to replace the traditional streetlights with LED streetlights is ahead
of schedule. There should be a $5,000 reduction in street lighting costs to the
town next year. This program is for the public streetlights not the private
lights that residents can purchase for $5.00/month.
The Light
Department has no intention of installing SMART METERS at this time!
My
opinions…supported by FACTS ! ! !
Julie
Farrell
Actually, that progression represents a 43.84% increase. You don't just sum the percentages, you compound them.
ReplyDeleteThe good old boys at the Light and Water Department need to push up the cost of water to you lucky users some how. The money taken out for administration is greater than any other Department I have looked at, and these are all municipally owned. Water and sewer departments should never have been separated. This has never been a good thing for the rate payers. Call Henshaw Drilling for a way out 1-800-232-4725 Hee, Hee
DeleteDown hear on the lower forty where thinkin runaway train for those looking to the government to provide services at a reasonable price. Three bathes in a lifetime is plenty as a good wash cloth and some soap and hot water on those problem areas from the wood stove keeps us acceptable. Don't worry none about water either as the well works fine and when it is a dry spell the outhouse is the most dependable peace of plumbing ever invented. Plenty of compose for the garden as well!!
ReplyDeleteLower, when you go to bed tonight, give thanks that you do have a good well. Bart has a saying " we get the government we deserve" If people do not vote they give someone else their voice. I like to think the" government is run be those who show up."It pays to check facts and to know what you are really voting for. Blind faith has proved to be deceiving. Bev.
DeleteI have (3) wells on my property and not one of them is worth a dam there is so much iron on my property that the well water corrodes all the plumbing in my house... just tied into town water a few years back when it became available....and didn't I just read on this blog recently that Templeton already has one of the highest water rates in the area and now a 43% increase! and the towns people don't even get a say? I protest!
ReplyDeleteThe chairman of the commission would like to hear your complaints i sure!
ReplyDeleteThe last meeting only had 3 of us that were there to keep an eye on them!