Bristol Residents Turn Out For Meeting On Sewer Rate Increase

Bristol Borough residents turned out Wednesday evening to hear the Bristol Water and Sewer Authority’s presentation on the recent rate increase.

The recent increase that roughly doubled many customers bills has Bristolians angry and looking for answers. Previous to the most recent bill, rates for customers were last increased in 2007.

The authority board, headed by Rosemarie Mignoni-Szczucki, hosted a nearly three hour meeting Wednesday at the borough hall. During the public meeting, Stu Rosenthal from Gilmore and Associates Engineers and Jim Dillon, the sewer director and borough manager, gave presentations on current capital projects the sewer authority is undertaking.

Rosenthal outlined the necessary millions in capital improvements needed in the next years, including new rotating biological contactors and repair on trickling filter walls at the various pumps. The total funding needs for improvements are $4,337,000,  but the authority only has $1,122,000 in remaining funds from recent grants and loans.

Dillon’s presentation focused on funding that the authority has enjoyed in recent years. In 2015, the year end fund balance was $87,142.00. Under the 2016 budget, that number would be $24,495.00. The authority has operated on a deficit continuously since 2009, but under the new rates in 2016, the organization will operate with a $104,360 net income.

In a letter to residents, Dillion outlined the loss of Bristol Township as a customer, a 15 percent decline in usage,  increased regulations and an uptick in labor and material costs as other reasons why rates increased.

According to Dillon’s presentation, the authority pays into the borough’s general fund each year for general administrative costs. Some of these costs include contributions to the borough manager’s salary, the finance officer’s salary and a number of other administrative positions’ salaries and benefits.

During public comment, some of the speakers asked about the board’s qualifications, while others lashed out in frustration.

“So I need you to tell me how I’m supposed to put this into a budget that’s already stretched,” one resident said.

“Capital projects need to be done, we all know that. Why did you wait so long?,” one resident asked.

Resident Eric Sokalski, showing his discontent with the rate increase, brought a box filled with pennies and presented it to the board.

Tony Devine, Councilman of the North Ward also spoke. “That presentation is something we needed prior to having our sewer bills raised 100 percent,” he said.

Other council members were present as well. Lorraine Cullen and Ralph DiGuiseppe II were around, the latter speaking in support of the board.