LWSC seeks minimal '09 hike

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LWSC seeks minimal '09 hike

By Thor Jourgensen / The Daily Item

LYNN - Local homeowners facing high heating oil prices and other ominous economic news can take some comfort in the Water and Sewer Commission's tentative plan to peg a projected rate increase at 3 percent in 2009.

"Hopefully, we can stay in that range," Commission Executive Director Daniel O'Neill said.

A 3 percent increase in the current combined rate of $8.88 translates into about a $26 rate hike for the average homeowner using 10,000 cubic feet of water a year to pay about $888.

The commission raised the water and sewer rate from $8.66 during the summer and the five commissioners will not review a budget or vote on a rate hike before next spring.

By contrast, rate information provided in 2007 by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority indicated that residents in MWRA member communities like Nahant pay over $1,400 a year in water and sewer rates.

Peabody residents paid about $578 in combined rates last year.

Local rate-payers have seen their share of recent sharp rate hikes including a 14 percent increase in 2006 and an 11 percent jump in 2007.

Water and Sewer officials have blamed the need for rate increases on declining water use and rising costs including health insurance and fuel expenses combined to spur the hikes.

The commission has to consider the amount of debt Water and Sewer is paying interest on and the cost of future construction projects as it weighs prospective rate hikes.

State officials are scheduled this fall to finish reviewing rates and other factors influencing Water and Sewer's plan to spend $65 million on storm and sewer pipe networks.

Creating a separate storm and sewage pipe network called a CSO is crucial to helping the Commission meet a 2009 federal deadline for reducing sewage discharges into the ocean.

A single system carrying sewage and storm water during heavy rains has the potential of overwhelming the treatment capability of the Commercial Street plant so that partially treated sewage ends up in the ocean.

Much of the CSO work required in East Lynn has been completed or is underway. More work needs to be done in West Lynn; downtown and around the Commercial Street.

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Reader Comments

Comments so far on this story:

whatsuplynn wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:53 AM:

" Lynnitie and justplianbill:

If you want to really understand about hacks, insider politics and why your rates are going up, check out yesterday's story:

LWSC OKs contract extension; new hire

Perhaps this is why Darren Cyr doesn't want anyone to know what is happening in city government. "

Flow- B's wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:41 PM:

" Will 3% cover raises or oh yes, they hired another HACKS HACK!

Hey Integrity, stuff a sock in it. Why don't you stick with your wednesday paper that you editor. We know who you are!!! "

Integrity wrote on Oct 7, 2008 4:29 PM:

" That's a GREAT idea. Actually, ALL city workers should be put on GIC plan. No exceptions - including the unions that think they can tell us what to do. "

lynn12 wrote on Oct 7, 2008 3:03 PM:

" Im supposed to be happy my rates are going up when a much more affluent community like peabody is paying 40% less than I am? I can understand Nahant - theres obviosuly some geogrphical logisitcs there. But WOW this is a pretty slanted story for the Item . "

justplainbill wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:58 PM:

" maybe its time to look at the salaries and the perks of the job at lwsc. all other city departments have taken cuts and given in to concessions such as health insurance costs, overtime elimination, layoffs, manpower cuts etc. lets put lwsc under the same microscope that the rest of the city workers have been under. "

Lynnitis wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:49 PM:

" The problem is all these commissions and authorities that have been set up by the Hacks in the Cities, towns and State government.
They are budget bloated and Hack filled jobs for the politically connected.
These guys never look for ways to save money as they can increase the rates.
Why do we even need these commisions?? "

angell187 wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:25 AM:

" How about the worker from LSWC pay for more of their own health care costs. Why should Lynn residents keep paying the tab for these over paid city workers. Also what's the point of cutting back on water consumption if the city then rewards us with a rate increase. "

lynner too wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:11 AM:

" WOW, only a 3 percent increase? We get penalized for using less water, that doesn't make sense! The sewage rates are astronomical! I don't particularly care what Peabody pays, is that suppose to make me "feel" better about this increase? Everything keeps going up but our pay checks stay the same! "

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