From Templeton Water dept. web page; 2013 water rate study (the most current one on web page)
Background
Brian Goetz and Jeff Faulkner met with John Driscoll and Ron Davan on April 26, 2013. We discussed the history of the TMLWP and past rate increases. The water system last increased their consumptive usage rates six years ago and their service fees four years ago. John noted that he believes that due to the decrease in consumption over the years, increasing the service fee again is the most feasible way to increase revenues. Expenses are currently more than their revenue. A recent water main break (on a large 16-inch asbestos cement water main) cost the water system $33,000 to repair. Water customers are billed quarterly utilizing Billtrust billing services. The TMLWP is fairly satisfied with this service. Over the course of a billing cycle approximately 100 shutoff notices are issued but rarely do more than a few actually result in shut offs. The vast majority of customers pay. The current rate of administrative costs for the water versus electric administrative duties is 86% electric and 14% water. This has been the way the TMLWP has split costs since the water system was established. The TMLWP does not have any capital reserve.
Water should be combined with Sewer as it would facilitate the collection of $325,000 as yet uncollected by sewer.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the major mistakes that was made years ago that needs to be corrected, in my opinion. When Bart lived in Leominster, his Water and Sewer Bills came together. Residents paid them together. As far as I understand, in Templeton people will pay their Water Bill but not their Sewer Bill. That leaves the Sewer Department with debt. The Sewer Department is between a rock and a hard place. They can't get the Water Department to shut off the water. The people paid that bill. As a result, they have to go through the expense of bringing the people to court. This expense hurts everyone. This has to get fixed. The Water and Sewer Departments do not have to get in bed together, but they do have to bill together.
ReplyDelete