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NISKAYUNA, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Niskayuna residents were shocked when they opened their utility bills over the weekend and saw a significant increase. Many felt a mistake must’ve been made; however, town officials said those bills are accurate.
On Monday residents gathered at the town hall and asked questions, including Michael Bushnell.
“I was like how could this possibly be right? It’s got to be a mistake because it went from $30 to $300 in one billing cycle. It’s not right,” said Bushnell.
But NEWS10 found out those bills are right, according to Niskayuna town officials.
And it’s not sitting right with residents like Bushnell who called the increases astronomical. He said many seniors on fixed incomes are concerned.
“A lot of people can’t afford it. There’s a lot of old people I was just talking to inside and they’re very concerned because they think their water is going to be turned off if they can’t pay the bill,” said Bushnell. “I don’t know if the town would go that far, they might.”
Two major changes were reflected in the last bill. First, the rate was adjusted to reflect current operating costs and second the sewer costs were moved from charges seen on property taxes to the water bill. Officials said it’s not a cost difference but a difference in the location of those fees.
Bushnell and others expressed frustrations over the changes to those bills and wanted better communication from the town. Bushnell said if a notice was sent out explaining the changes, he didn’t see it.
Niskayuna Town Supervisor Jaime Puccioni admits that they should have done more to communicate those changes.
“It’s regrettable we did not send a letter in the bill,” said Puccioni. “But we will be resending the bills, the utility bills, for residents in Sewer District One and we will include a letter of explanation.”
Comptroller Beth Greenwood explained the changes should’ve been made long ago.
“When things aren’t changed for a long period of time obviously when you do make an adjustment, it’s a larger adjustment and so that has a greater impact on people,” said Greenwood. “It is actually very important to look at things regularly and make small incremental adjustments so it’s not as much of an impact on our residents.”
Superintendent of Water and Sewer Matt Yetto said labor, electricity and chemical costs have all increased.
“Beth was wonderful. She went back several years and did quite a bit of analysis of our expenses over the past to come up with what the proper rate should be to adequately fund the department,” said Yetto.
To help those in Sewer District One pay the bill, the town will vote on April 30 to change the due date from May 20 to June 30.
For anyone still looking for answers, officials will share more information on Tuesday at 6:00 P.M. in the Town Hall.
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