| I was looking at my Town of Longmeadow water bill which is double my cost of the comparable period last year, and wondered what action I should take. Hal Haberman, Longmeadow Select Board chair, was quoted in the Dec. 20 Longmeadow News as stating at the recent selectman's meeting "the board made a mistake when it adopted new water and sewer rates in July." He indicated they would correct the mistake. It didn't take a rocket scientist to look at the explosion in our bills to figure out something was wrong. Many water users have received bills double, triple and more over the same period as last year. When I heard one member of the water/sewer management team refer to "inflation" as a partial explanation, I decided I best talk to the coordinator Robin Crosbie. She refused to discuss this "closed matter." Attorney Martel had spoken and that was that. I have decided that as with any incorrect bill I receive, I registered my complaint and will now wait for a corrected invoice which I will pay on time. I haven't missed a date in 40 years. I don't intend to start now. Just remember, water/sewer fees are collected to cover the cost of regular maintenance and service. Any extra revenue is considered a tax and should be raised through our conventional means. This is covered in the Mass. General Laws, a copy of which can be made available. Samuel Altman Longmeadow |
