Letter: How to Fight Rate Increases

Friday, 07 August 2009 00:00

Aqua-New York Water customers now have a way to fight Aqua-New York Water’s plan to raise the average monthly bill by 12 percent.

To make sure that Aqua-New York Water customers have the chance to speak publicly on this issue, I urged the New York State Public Service Commission to hold public hearings within the community. The PSC, which must approve this rate increase before it takes effect, has agreed and will be holding two local public hearings:

• September 1

  2:00 p.m.

  Merrick Library

  2279 Merrick Avenue, Merrick

• September 1

  7:00 p.m.

  Brookside School

  1260 Meadowbrook Road, N. Merrick

Even if residents can’t attend these public hearings, they can still share their opinions with the PSC through email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; by phone on the PSC’s toll free opinion line at 1-800-335-2120; or by letter to: Jaclyn Brilling, Secretary, New York State Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, 19th Floor, Albany, New York 12223 (residents should reference the case number, case #09-W-0237, in their correspondence email).

I have already urged the PSC to reject Aqua-New York Water’s rate increase proposal because of the effect it will have on local homeowners who are already paying much more for water than those in neighboring communities. Residents who don’t want to pay higher Aqua-New York Water bills should join me in taking advantage of the opportunity to share their concerns.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.