The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority will hold both a rate hearing and a special meeting tonight, starting at 6 p.m. at 127 Roosevelt Ave.
A notice for the special meeting, as well as an amended notice, both had the wrong day listed, but a call to the authority Wednesday confirmed that both meetings are tonight.
Plaintalker detailed the proposed rates as published in a legal notice. The sewer connection fee for 2013 was amended in a subsequent notice. In looking up the old rates just now, Plaintalker found more discrepancies, such as the container disposal rate last year being expressed in tons, but this year by quarter. The lesson is that even a "legal" notice can be faulty, so ask questions if you plan to attend.
PMUA in general was a hot topic in 2012. A review of blog posts found both high numbers of pageviews and comments on PMUA stories. In January, the controversial $1 million settlement atracted readers. Throughout the year, there was a series of failed attempts to appoint commissioners. The appointment of former city Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson as the new PMUA executive director drew interest.
In addition, an interview with activist Philip Charles drew many readers. So did coverage of the reorganization in which Harold Mitchell retained the chairmanship of the PMUA board. A task force raised the issue of possible dissolution of the authority, but a further study was squelched by the administration.
The authority, while finally taking on outside contracts and lowering rates, remains a topic of high interest as 2013 approaches.
--Bernice
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The lower rates, which are minimal, are accompanied by reduced service: Smoke nd Mirrors. The Shared Service fee is disproportionate to the actual cost of services performed in this category.
ReplyDeleteTonight, as on all previous meeting nights, some members of the public will voice disapproval, ask valid questions and make suggestions. Watever is said will be placed on "The pay no mind list" and the rates will be approved as proposed without alteration. They must be because the enabling document clearly mandates that whatever cost the Authority incurs the rates must be sufficient to accomodate those costs. The only discretionary decision is how the Authority proportions the charges. If, for example, the Authority were to omit from their billing the volume of water you use to water your lawn, that reduction in the Authority's income would of necessity be added to some other charge.
The only effective way in which a citizen can achieve reform is to OPT OUT. In time, if a sufficient number of households OPT OUT it will be necessary to increase the rates to unprecedented levels. When that occurs there will be a universal protest of such magnitude that either reform or dissolution will occur. The Mayor could appoint Commissioners outside of the "family" circle, who could affect meaningful savings.It ain't going to happen.
Looking forward to seeing the 3 Expert Consultants make their annual pro forma presentation. I will again attempt to obtain the written analysis which demonstrates that the Shared Service charge is appropriate. So far, questioning, badgering, and OPRA requests have proved unsuccessful in obtaining this information. It remains my opinion that the Consultants are given the answer to the examination and then write the questions to conform. Bill Kruse