A Nov. 14 community meeting on the water bill issue in Westbury drew a large turnout, and a second meeting has been planned for Dec. 4.

Westbury residents have expressed much outrage over water bills they received in the mail last month, describing what they called an "exorbitant" increase.

Despite appeals to roll back the increase, the issue has not been adequately addressed by the Westbury Water District, according to Chester McGibbon, an organizer of the community meetings. The rate increase was implemented by the Westbury Water District a year ago. The rate went from a flat fee of $1 per thousand gallons to the following step-rate system. For the first 20,000 gallons, which is considered a minimum bill, the cost is $20. For 20,000 to 60,000 gallons, the rate is $1.25 per thousand gallons. For 60,000 to 100,000 gallons, it is $1.50 per thousand gallons. For greater than 100,000 gallons, the rate is $2.40 per thousand gallons.

McGibbon noted that residents are perplexed by the exorbitant increase, and are faced with the burden of how to pay the high water bills.

In an effort to get some redress, the ad-hoc coalition of community members may write in a candidate or candidates for a water commissioner seat which will be the subject of the Dec. 11 water district election.

"We're going to consider writing in candidates for the water board election," said McGibbon, noting that community members are seeking more representation on the board. "We need to have someone from the respective communities."

A flier announcing the upcoming meeting describes the water bill crisis as deepened, and encourages residents to attend.

The flier states that the water superintendent has "snobbed" community residents' complaints, and urges the community to help select a write-in candidate for the Dec. 11 water district elections. The election is for one water commissioner seat, the seat of Frank Iadevia. Iadevia is currently running unopposed for re-election.

The flier states, "Westbury residents turned out in droves on November 14, and demanded that the Water District roll back the exorbitant increases to reasonable and justifiable levels. Superintendent Vacchio and his commissioners promise review but now is delaying action until after the Dec. 11 election. We can select a commissioner on Dec 11."

In response to the resident outcry over the water bills immediately following their release last month, Water District Superintendent Italo Vacchio stated that the rate increase was necessary to keep up with high operating costs. This week, he said the new step rate structure was implemented after a professional rate study was done, and that the new system will stand. However, he added that after listening to residents' concerns, the water district has agreed to delay penalties for late payments on the November bill. "They used the water. But we did say that we would delay the penalties," he said. "In large measure, the rate increase was due to large consumption."

Kathy Ryan, of Ryan & Ryan Public Relations, which represents the water district, said the new step rate system was implemented due to both high costs and a call by the New York State Department of Conservation to encourage water conservation. "It's really trying to encourage people to find ways to use less water," said Ryan. "That's really why the rate system was put in place." She also noted that the district is currently dealing with a $6.5 million bond issue.

The upcoming community meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., inside the Westbury Recreation Center. The center is located at 360 Post Ave.