Last week, at the Floral Park Village Hall, Chairman and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board, Timothy S. Carey, held a multi-million dollar signing of an agreement reached with Jamaica Water Supply Company to return to its former customers millions of dollars in water refunds.

Present at the agreement signing was Waterbill Watchdogs President, Ray Howell. Waterbill Watchdogs, who for the past eight years, has been actively involved in monitoring Jamaica Water Supply Company and was, in part, responsible for the sale of the Jamaica Water Supply Company to the Water Authority of Western Nassau County.

Chairman Carey said, "Under Governor Pataki's leadership, Chairman O'Mara at the State Public Service Commission and the State Consumer Protection Board, have devoted considerable time and resources to resolving this case which was started under the previous administration more than four years ago."

Carey continued, "As a result of this agreement, consumer refunds will amount to approximately $30 for Queens customers and about $105 for former Nassau County customers and will total more than $7 million dollars. These customers are now served by either the New York City Department of Environmental Protection or by the WAWNC.

"The agreement has been signed by representatives of all of the parties in the case including the Waterbill Watchdogs, New York State Consumer Protection Board, Public Service Commission (PSC), Water Authority of Western Nassau County, New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Jamaica Water Supply Corporation. The agreement must be approved by the PSC and is scheduled for consideration at the public session of the commission on April 8, " added Carey.

Waterbill Watchdog President Howell said, "The Watchdogs eight year battle with the Jamaica Water Supply Company has ended. I am very pleased to be bringing these good tidings to the residents of Nassau County, formerly served by JWS."

Howell continued, "These refunds relate to certain items regarding pensions, water meter leases, etc. The agreement also includes the items that were part of the earlier agreement, not finally resolved by the PSC, when it approved the transfer of Jamaica Water to the Water Authority in March of 1994. Fortunately, the monies to satisfy these obligations were put in an interest-bearing escrow account and now that the final audits have been completed, the refunds can be made. I am happy for all concerned and commend the hard work that went into the negotiations that finally resolved these matters."

Howell stated, "Our organization, the Waterbill Watchdogs, is composed entirely of volunteers and we have worked closely with Chairman Carey's staff at the Consumer Protection Board and others to make this settlement a reality. We have pursued our efforts on many fronts including PSC rate proceedings, lobbying government officials, conducting our own audit of the company and finally lobbying for the formation of the Water Authority of Western Nassau."

Howell concluded, "We have met all of our goals. Over the last four years, refunds and rate reductions from Jamaica Water Supply have totaled more than $30 million dollars and today's $7 million dollars will add to that amount. I think our organization can serve as a model for citizen involvement in what has normally been considered the domain of utility experts."

Consumer Chief Carey added, "I strongly second Ray Howell's comments. The Consumer Protection Board was glad to help the Waterbill Watchdogs, who have done so much to bring about these refunds. The Watchdogs have been in the forefront, working closely with the CPB and PSC and others to make sure this case was brought to a proper conclusion. The Consumer Protection Board was designed, in part, to reach out to local groups and help them work through the PSC process. I think we were very successful and I am glad that the CPB was able to help."

The Public Service Commission is expected to review the agreement during its April 8 session. After that decision, work will begin immediately to process the refunds. Every effort will be made to locate customers who may have moved from the area to ensure that they receive their refunds as well. According to the agreement, the initial refunds should go in the mail within 60 days of the commission's decision.