City Council Killing its Residents -

From the Eagle Tribune:

Council OKs higher water, sewer rates By Shawn ReganStaff Writer

HAVERHILL — Residents will see increases in the cost of water and sewer service for the first time in four years starting next month.
The City Council last night approved a request from Mayor James Fiorentini that increases the average yearly water bill by 17 percent and the average sewer bill by 27 percent. The average water bill will increase from $212 to $247 and the average wastewater bill from $261 to $319, according to estimates provided by Deputy DPW Director Robert Ward.
The mayor proposed raising the rates by the full amount next year and then freezing the rates until another increase is expected to be needed in three years. But the council decided to spread the increases over the next three years. The change will make the impact on the average bill a little less in year one and a little more in year three, Ward said.
The council also approved a proposal to give low-income residents age 65 and older a 15 percent discount on their water and sewer bills. The mayor wanted the discount program to apply to residents age 70 and older, but the council approved by a vote of 5-4 an amendment by City Councilor David Hall to change the age requirement. Hall said he was contacted yesterday by several residents between the ages of 65 and 70, who told him they are unable to afford the rate increases. Ward said it would add a few pennies to the average ratepayer's bill to offer the discount.
The jumps are necessary to raise money for increased costs for things like electricity, fuel and chemicals to treat drinking water, Ward said.
"We're hammering people everywhere," City Councilor William Macek said, referring to the fact the council earlier last night had approved higher fees for some city services. "But Haverhill is still affordable compared to what our neighbors are paying (for water and sewer)."
The rate increases were approved 7-2, with councilors James Donahue and Ken Quimby opposed.
"Increases are a fact of life," City Council President Michael Hart said, adding that Ward did "a good job" justifying the increases to councilors during previous budget meetings. "Good water is important for public safety and quality of life, and you've been using your reserves to run the department for the last few years. That has to end."
The council also approved several fee increases requested by the mayor — everything from making changes to death, birth and marriage certificates to one-day permits to sell alcohol, hold raffles, bazaars and auctions and raise money for charities.
Higher fees also were approved for permits for operating taxis, ambulances and wheelchair-accessible vans in the city, and for the Fire Department to perform services such as inspecting and installing fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire suppression systems.
A proposal by Fiorentini to increase fees the city charges for permits to build and renovate homes was rejected 6-3. The mayor said the new building fees would have generated about $100,000 next year, and that he will have to cover the shortfall by taking money from the city emergency cash reserve. He said there is only about $800,000 in that account.
Fiorentini said he was surprised the council rejected the new building fees because they are paid mostly by wealthy developers.
Digging deeper
Fee increases starting next month
Vital statistics (changes to birth, death, marriage certificates): $25 to $35
Tag day charity fundraisers: $5 to $10
Taxis: $100 to $150
Ambulances: $100 to $200
Auctions: $25 to $50
Raffles and bazaars: $10 to $20
Annual liquor license: $75 to $200
One-day all liquor: $100 to $125
One-day beer and wine: $75 to $100
Annual food service license: $75 to $150