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Residents urge action on Board of Water and Light bills, smart meters and sustainability; ambulance response debated
Summary
Public commenters pressed the Charter Commission on Board of Water and Light rate notices and smart‑meter impacts, urged creation of a sustainability office in the charter, and urged caution before requiring ambulance service in the charter. The commission scheduled discussion of BWL and sustainability language for its next meeting.
During public comment at the Feb. 18 Lansing Charter Commission meeting, residents raised affordability concerns tied to Board of Water and Light (BWL) billing, urged the commission to add a sustainability office to the charter, and urged caution about placing ambulance‑service requirements into the charter.
Tasha Canty, introduced during public comment, said she is “on the verge of losing my house” and reported owing $5,686.80. “I paid $9,600 this year in Board of Water and Light bills. I went hungry,” Canty said, asking the commission to consider protections for residents who cannot pay steep utility bills and to press BWL for more public engagement and longer notice before rate increases.
Linda Keefe said residents have reported sharp increases in utility bills after the city installed new smart meters, and she urged…
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