Residents critical of proposed sewer fee

Anya Tikka
Posted 8/21/12

PORT JERVIS, NY — Although Port Jervis Mayor Kelly Decker took pains to spell out the reasons why the city is considering imposing a sewer fee, resident after resident stood up in the packed room …

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Residents critical of proposed sewer fee

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PORT JERVIS, NY — Although Port Jervis Mayor Kelly Decker took pains to spell out the reasons why the city is considering imposing a sewer fee, resident after resident stood up in the packed room at the Monday, September 22 meeting to make their case against it. They spoke of the hardships the fee would cause to the already pressed city residents, many of whom simply can’t afford to pay any more fees. Decker had posted the proposed new fee outline on his popular Facebook page before the meeting, giving residents a heads-up of what’s being planned.

Decker explained the city faces a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation-mandated repair and update of the aging sewer system, at least partly due to the city being so close to both the Delaware and Neversink rivers, costing potentially $38 million dollars.

Raymond Bowlby, who owns three properties in the city, was almost in tears while speaking against the proposed fee. “Senior citizens need to be recognized for barely being able to make it. People in the fourth ward are in pain.” He explained he thought there were many good people living in the city who were not able to meet their bills. “You want to tax people out of their houses,” he continued. “People need their homes to live in Port Jervis.” He gave credit to the council for listening.

Decker explained in his statement, “A sewer use fee has not been set yet. However if the fee is set, I have advised the council that those with Enhanced Star will be half the cost. It will be kept at the minimum amount we can keep it.”

A business owner asked the council to consider a pay-per-usage fee, saying a flat fee is unfair to the people who use a lot less than others. “If you take in 500 gallons water, you discharge 500 gallons to the sewers, causing less strain to the system than someone who takes in 5,000 gallons and discharges 5,000 gallons,” he said. Some others voiced similar concerns.

Many brought up the problem with the city’s water, which had been brown recently, and the council members said it’s been fixed now, but it’s related to the bad shape the old system is in.

Decker noted that several Orange County cities have very high water and sewer rates, and added the repairs have to be done. “It is understood that people have difficulties, but if this is not done now, it could put our city in jeopardy of financial catastrophe and an infrastructure beyond repair. It is important that the city plans for our future and corrects any negative budgetary issues,” his written statement read.

He said very few grants are available for the sewer repair, although the city keeps trying to get grants. Anticipating questions over cutting costs, he said the two programs that could be cut would result either in seniors not getting their dinners, or loss of a recreation program that keeps the kids busy in healthy, useful activities.

Decker said that the anticipated sales- tax revenues have not met targets, resulting in the city looking at a budget deficit.

Decker also said relief in the form of tax rebate checks should be coming soon because the city has stayed under the 2% property tax cap in its budget and is currently already working with nearby Deer Park to share costs, a requirement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s tax-incentive program.

Residents have two weeks to contact Decker at the town hall about the proposed sewer-use fee. The council will vote on it at its next meeting on Tuesday, October 14.

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