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Norwich trustees vote to oppose Ohio American Water rate increase, authorize legal intervention
Summary
Norwich trustees approved a resolution opposing Ohio American Water’s proposed 2011 water and sewer rate increases and authorized special counsel to intervene in the PUCO rate case, citing past PUCO findings and the disproportionate burden on township residents.
At its Dec. 19 meeting the Norwich Township Board of Trustees voted to object to and oppose a proposed rate increase filed by Ohio American Water (OAW) with the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, and authorized special counsel (Loveland & Brosius, LLC) to file a motion to intervene in the OAW rate case.
The board’s resolution noted this was OAW’s fourth rate request in five years and cited PUCO findings from the company’s 2009 rate case about administrative and general expenses rising faster than inflation. Township trustees said the proposed increase — described in filings as roughly 26% for water and 11.5% for sewer rates — would be excessive and place an undue burden on township residents already paying substantially higher rates than neighboring areas on different systems.
Trustees agreed to support and coordinate with other governmental jurisdictions impacted by the proposed increases, authorized special counsel to intervene in the PUCO proceedings, and encouraged residents to contact PUCO and legislative representatives and participate in hearings. The board also authorized representatives (trustees, fiscal officer, administrator and counsel) to speak on the township’s behalf during the PUCO review process.
