The Alberton papers #3 by Dick Darne 3-2-06
The following content is my own opinions, based on information available at this time. As always, one’s opinions can change as more information is brought to light. Today’s topic is: water/sewer rate increases. The W/S are "enterprise funds" and must "stand alone", that is, all revenues must go to the fund and all expenditures must come from the fund. Further as conditions of the loans and grants, the revenues must cover all operating costs plus enough to build a reserve fund. Or, simply: the gozinta must exceed the gozouta by about 10%. I have reviewed the minutes for the last few years and could find no discussion of finding ways to cut costs associated with operating the system. There certainly seems to be a great potential for savings in the electricity consumption. For this month alone, out of a total bill of $1790, $1197 was for W/S operation, $744 alone just to aerate the lagoons. $125 for electricity in the well house with the pump OFF for several months. The size of the electric bill alone should cause concern..The entire operation should be reviewed to find ways to cut costs. It’s real easy for a " circuit rider like Harry Whalen to ride into town and declare "RAISE YOUR RATES" (I’ve never heard him say "lower your rates"). More food for thought: while it’s true that some of the pipes in the ground are very old ,and have exceeded their useful life, grantsdo not cover all the costs of upgrading a water system. To replace them could cause a substantial increase in rates. While we are on this topic, let’s add some comments about the "water study update" Even with a grant, half of the $22,000 comes out of our pockets. This is to update an approx. 4 year old plan. Not much has changed, old pipes are 4 years older. A few more houses (new pipe). Only a few more building sites left. Does it cost $22K to update a recent plan? I don’t have all the answers, but if we don’t take care of this, someone else will. Awaiting comments: 722-4575 E-mail= aldermandarne@hotmail.com The Alberton papers #4 by Dick Darne
So it’s not all "doom & gloom", let’s explore something positive. Instead of thinking of ways to build community by spending money, lets think of ways that we all do (without realizing)from time to time. Turn off your TV. Leave your house. Know your neighbors. Look up when you are walking. Greet people. Sit on your stoop. Plant flowers. USE YOUR LIBRARY. Play together. Buy from local merchants. Share what you have. Help a lost dog. Take children to the park. GARDEN TOGETHER. Support neighborhood schools. FIX IT EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T BREAK IT. Have pot lucks. HONOR ELDERS. Pick up litter. Read stories aloud. DANCE IN THE STREET. Talk to the mail carrier. Listen to the birds. Put up a swing. HELP CARRY SOMETHING HEAVY. Barter for your goods. Start a tradition. ASK A QUESTION. HIRE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR ODD JOBS. Organize a block party. BAKE EXTRA AND SHARE. Ask for help when you need it. Open your shades. Sing together. SHARE YOUR SKILLS. Take back the night. Turn up the music. Turn down the music. Remember, these are things that are free for the using and pay big dividends. 3-2-06 dick. 722-4575 E-mail= aldermandarne@hotmail.com
The following content is my own opinions, based on information available at this time. As always, one’s opinions can change as more information is brought to light. Today’s topic is: water/sewer rate increases. The W/S are "enterprise funds" and must "stand alone", that is, all revenues must go to the fund and all expenditures must come from the fund. Further as conditions of the loans and grants, the revenues must cover all operating costs plus enough to build a reserve fund. Or, simply: the gozinta must exceed the gozouta by about 10%. I have reviewed the minutes for the last few years and could find no discussion of finding ways to cut costs associated with operating the system. There certainly seems to be a great potential for savings in the electricity consumption. For this month alone, out of a total bill of $1790, $1197 was for W/S operation, $744 alone just to aerate the lagoons. $125 for electricity in the well house with the pump OFF for several months. The size of the electric bill alone should cause concern..The entire operation should be reviewed to find ways to cut costs. It’s real easy for a " circuit rider like Harry Whalen to ride into town and declare "RAISE YOUR RATES" (I’ve never heard him say "lower your rates"). More food for thought: while it’s true that some of the pipes in the ground are very old ,and have exceeded their useful life, grantsdo not cover all the costs of upgrading a water system. To replace them could cause a substantial increase in rates. While we are on this topic, let’s add some comments about the "water study update" Even with a grant, half of the $22,000 comes out of our pockets. This is to update an approx. 4 year old plan. Not much has changed, old pipes are 4 years older. A few more houses (new pipe). Only a few more building sites left. Does it cost $22K to update a recent plan? I don’t have all the answers, but if we don’t take care of this, someone else will. Awaiting comments: 722-4575 E-mail= aldermandarne@hotmail.com The Alberton papers #4 by Dick Darne
So it’s not all "doom & gloom", let’s explore something positive. Instead of thinking of ways to build community by spending money, lets think of ways that we all do (without realizing)from time to time. Turn off your TV. Leave your house. Know your neighbors. Look up when you are walking. Greet people. Sit on your stoop. Plant flowers. USE YOUR LIBRARY. Play together. Buy from local merchants. Share what you have. Help a lost dog. Take children to the park. GARDEN TOGETHER. Support neighborhood schools. FIX IT EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T BREAK IT. Have pot lucks. HONOR ELDERS. Pick up litter. Read stories aloud. DANCE IN THE STREET. Talk to the mail carrier. Listen to the birds. Put up a swing. HELP CARRY SOMETHING HEAVY. Barter for your goods. Start a tradition. ASK A QUESTION. HIRE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR ODD JOBS. Organize a block party. BAKE EXTRA AND SHARE. Ask for help when you need it. Open your shades. Sing together. SHARE YOUR SKILLS. Take back the night. Turn up the music. Turn down the music. Remember, these are things that are free for the using and pay big dividends. 3-2-06 dick. 722-4575 E-mail= aldermandarne@hotmail.com
posted by aldermandarne | 7:47 PM
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