Dear Giachetti,
I sincerely sympathize with your comment about feeling trapped. It really is no surprise that we who are budget-minded think about the cost of our water/sewer as we use it. Honestly, if we were not charged with such unreasonable rates, I cannot help wondering if we would be so conscious of conservation. This does not mean I like being gouged. I despise it.
All the letters and petitions did make some difference, however. I can recall that before we all became so aware of the increases, the rate increases used to be passed on to us without a hitch. We would simply get a notice saying our rates were going up. Were you living here then? I was. And then I learned the process - the hard way.
I learned that the water company was required to notify the township trustees when they were seeking to apply for a rate increase. The consumer was not notified of the initial application. If a community has a civic association, then the water company must notify the president of the association. Just prior to 2005, there was no organized civic association. But a group of us organized in 2005 and soon elected James Welch as Association president. Through Jim's leading we learned about rate increases and THAT is when we began to petition, write, testify, etc. Years later and many rate increase "fights" later, Jim is now a trustee - thankfully.
I am also VERY grateful that we have all new trustees in the township. The newly elected trustees all have an understanding of and concern about our water company issues. There are other issues of concern for our township. Again, I am grateful that we no longer have status quo and our leaders are working to improve the community.
True, some good neighbors have left because of the water company, and that is a shame. I pray that in the near future the water company will no longer be the reason why people leave. I actually dream of the day when it will be desirable to live here.
Pam Clegg, neighbor
