Date: 9/15/2021
I am a long-time resident of East Longmeadow. I would like to know who instituted the stormwater waste charge that is now appearing on our water bills.
When I first inquired about this, the answer I received is that this came down from the state government and was left to the towns on how to implement it. Our town decided to charge residents $25 a year and small businesses $500 a year.
Why are businesses charged so much? In this state it is becoming increasingly difficult to run a business with all the restrictions, charges, and taxes, and still make a profit.
Enter the pandemic and businesses are barely holding on if they still exist. Our town has already put a nail in the coffin of businesses by implementing a tax on the tools necessary to run their business, and now, the overly assessed stormwater waste charge. Our latest water bill covered the period that has been classified as a severe drought during which there has been virtually no water runoff or stormwater waste. That being the case, how can we be charged for something that did not occur, and more importantly, will we see a refund in our future?
Linda Boucher
East Longmeadow
