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Message |
    
South Beach Gal
Citizen
Username: South_beach_gal
Post Number: 22
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 3:04 pm: | 
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My last two water bills (both actual) were three times higher than any previous bills for the same consumption. According to East Orange Water Commission, we are now being charged for our water meters. This will add $67.50 per month to my bill which is usually less than $30 for actual water used. Has anyone else noticed this increase? Are we all getting soaked here? They didn't have the courtesy to inform customers or even break down the charges on the bill. Does anyone have any more information on what's going on? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 848
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 3:17 pm: |
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Send a copy of your bill and a note to John Gross at Village Hall. The village has been trying to get the billing problems resolved.
This is just one of many issues with them.
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Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 108
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 4:21 pm: |
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Could be that since they are in the process of replacing the meters that you got an actual reading not estimated. The guy that replaced mine told me to note the numbers in case I got a big bill. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 32
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 7:49 am: |
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I do not understand what we technologically gain from the installation of these new water meters.
It is my understanding that instead of the meter being called (wired telephone line)to obtain the meter reading, someone will do a drive by that wirelessly receives the data (RFID?). To me this adds to the cost of data collection.
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South Beach Gal
Citizen
Username: South_beach_gal
Post Number: 23
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 9:13 am: |
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Supposedly, this charge has nothing to do with the new meter heads; it has to do with the size of the meter. Most of S.O. has 3/4" meters, larger than E.O. They allow more water to flow to the home. I don't understand why this should cause an increase for villagers when the meters have been in place for years. Why start charging for them now? I think the whole idea of charging for 8-year old meters is bogus. Regarding the new heads, E.O.W.C. claims they will save money because sometimes they cannot get through on the phone lines and must send people out to read the meters. The new way is supposed to be faster. Too bad they're not spending the money on improving the water quality. Maybe I'll start deducting the money I spend on bottled water and water filters! |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 33
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 10:17 am: |
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Mark, what is the Water Utitlity structure and relationship with SO? |
woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 510
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 10:48 am: |
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Not all water meters are hooked up to phone lines. Our water meter was installed before we even had a phone line coming ino the house. We get periodic calls from EOWC asking when they can read the meter. Too bad they don't work on weekends. They're never going to get me or my wife to take off time from work for a meter reading.
Waiting For The Electrician, Or Someone Like Him
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Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 34
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 12:38 pm: |
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Mark, Alan:
Do you where one can find detail to the water utility rate structure?
Thanks |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 35
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 12:33 pm: |
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Mark, first how are you feeling?
I never got a response on the Water Utility qustion - What is the relationship between SO and East Orange Water Commission? Does SO buy water in bulk from them and then have them bill quarterly individual usage based on the meter reading?
Does SO make a profit?
Will there be a change in meter charge with the new meters? Did you (BOT/Administrator) review a cost benefit analysis on the change in reading methodology?
Thanks
Howard Levison |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 854
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 12:59 pm: |
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Howard: Feeling much better thanks,
I think basically you are correct in the relationship between S. ORange and E. Orange Water.
E. Orange Water did not notify us in advance about the meter changes. They cannot change the amount per unit they charge for water, so the cost for water assuming one uses the same amount should remain the same no matter what method they use to gather information.
I do not think it is really a profit per se, but there is money that the village receives. I have not looked at the specifics in a while (I am not on either of the committees that would really look at the water charges, etc).
I will ask the administrator to give me the specifics and general comments/response to the questions. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 1:08 pm: |
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Thanks
I have pulled rates from various NJ Water Utilities which are all public and find that they all are lower. Our charges should be lower given we are a MUA having no tax implications. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 855
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 - 1:19 pm: |
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Howard: The water contract goes way back and some of the charges go towards resolving some issue with the prior utility and with the problems with the village's water supply (way back when we had our own water that came via artesian wells).
I do not remember the details but it was a hot topic in the election during 1995 and 1997 about the how and why the contract was signed and why our rates are highter (although I though we were much more in line with other towns in Essex county now).
At this point we have a contract with E. Orange and hopefully when the time comes the village will be able to negotiate a contract that will have a more competitive rate.
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South Beach Gal
Citizen
Username: South_beach_gal
Post Number: 24
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 10:55 am: |
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I have some new information regarding the E. O. Water Com. and their plans for us. EOWC plans to charge S.O. residents a minimum fee based on the size of the pipe bringing water to our homes. 5/8" @ $42.40, 3/4" @ 106.90, 1" @ $169.60 and higher for the 2" pipes. Each unit of consumption is $4.24. Suppose you use 10 units, and have, say a 3/4" pipe, your bill will be $106.90 per quarter, not $42.40. I think EOWC smells money in our little town and wants to get whatever it can. Unfortunately, they are not a public utility company, and are not regulated. I was told they are a private company offering a public utility and have us between a rock and a hard place. If this gets you angry, you should call Harry Mansmann at EOWC at 973-266-2470 and tell him. He's handling complaints on a case-by-case basis. I understand there is a meeting in East Orange on Grove Street about this on Monday for anyone who can make it. I don't know the time, though. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 4:32 pm: |
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I don't know how they would pass this proposal. We would require a change in code which currently specifies:
§ 157-18. Bills for metered service; water charges.
A.Metered charges. [Amended 6-18-1979 by Ord. No. 79-16; 1-25-1982 by Ord. No. 81-41; 6-28-1982 by Ord. No. 82-13; 10-25-1982 by Ord. No. 82-22; 3-26-1984 by Ord. No. 84-4; 9-14-1987 by Ord. No. 87-20; 1-22-1990 by Ord. No. 901; 7-23-1990 by Ord. No. 90-31; 10-27-1992 by Ord. No. 92-46; 9-26-1994 by Ord. No. 94-22 EN]
(1)[Amended 9-11-1995 by Ord. No. 95-26; 2-26-1996 by Ord. No. 96-3; 4-1-1996 by Ord. No. 96-12EN] Metered charges for water sold to consumers by the Township of South Orange Village: (a)Cost per 1,000 cubic feet $41.18. [Amended 7-24-2000 by Ord. No. 00-19EN; 7-23-2001 by Ord. No. 14-2001EN]
(b)Cost per 1,000 gallons: $5.18.
(2)In any case, where the metered charge reveals sales of three hundred sixty (360) cubic feet or less during a three-month period, the minimum charge shall be:
Date/Minimum Quarterly Charge
10/1/94 7/1/95 1/1/96
$10.00 $10.25 $10.45 |
bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 456
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 4:55 pm: |
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Those ordinances were applicable before the town sold our water plant to East Orange. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 38
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 5:02 pm: |
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Then why are they on the books?
It is my impression that we "outsourced" to EOWC.
Mark, can you add to this. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 879
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 5:06 pm: |
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Howard, Bets: I planned on asking the village administrator on Monday night at the meeting to get the details and facts.
I don't want to guess or post something that might prove to be incorrect or misleading.
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