Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato stood with Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, and a slew of New York State elected officials to denounce Liberty Utilities’ most recent proposed rate hikes and the NYS Public Service Commission’s bare-minimum scheduling of public hearings for Long Island customers.
Slamming the move as an act of cowardice, the team of officials called out Liberty Utilities and the Public Service Commission for their measly effort in scheduling two public hearings on the same day in different locations. Ferretti is leading the charge to demand that the Commission outright reject these proposed rate hikes and tell Liberty Utilities to go back to the drawing board.
“These are Long Island water districts, Long Island customers, and Long Island families being told to pay more,” said Supervisor Ferretti. “Trying to rush these rate hikes through with minimal hearings sends the message that Liberty Utilities wants residents’ money without having to listen to their concerns. They have no respect for the hardworking ratepayer. Cancel these unnecessary rate hikes and put ratepayers first!”
According to filings submitted to the NYS Public Service Commission, Liberty Utilities is seeking revenue increases of approximately 21.87% in Service Area 1 and 30.14% in Service Area 2. Most areas in the Town of Oyster Bay serviced by the water utility fall into Service Area 2, which includes portions of Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Sea Cliff, Glen Head and Glenwood Landing. For many residential customers, the proposal could raise water bills by nearly $30 a month.
“The Public Service Commission has approved over 48 rate hikes in recent years, and people are being forced out of their homes because of soaring utility rates,” said Supervisor Saladino. “It’s time Albany listens up and puts a stop to the nonsense.”
“The proposed rate increases are both alarming and tone-deaf at a time when Long Island families are already struggling with a very real affordability crisis,” said Supervisor DeSena. “Demanding they pay hundreds of dollars more for an essential service shows a troubling lack of concern for our hardworking families. Residents should not have to worry about whether they can afford something as basic as water.”
The Supervisors, along with state officials representing the affected ratepayers, are calling on the Public Service Commission to respect the ratepayers by rejecting Liberty Utilities’ proposed rate hikes. What’s more, they called for all residents to sign a petition against these rate hikes at Change.org/StopLibertyRateHikes.
“No one disputes the importance of safe drinking water and reliable infrastructure,” Supervisor Ferretti concluded. “But the people funding those investments deserve to be heard in their own communities. We will continue fighting these excessive increases and standing up for Long Island residents.”
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