The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-13

be able to get a reasonable amount of water at a reasonable price. He reminded that the committee was named here after the public had voiced complaints to the borough board. He felt the present rates are a taxation on children as couples without children have to pay con- stderably less.
 Joseph Kenishea, head of Local 45, CIO, pointed out that he rep- resented a large group and that they were dissatisfied with the present rates. He cited an example of unsanitary conditions caused by attempt to conserve water and warned that illness of various sorts would follow if this condition were continued.
 Dallas Palmer, representing local 218, CIO, said mary persons in this union feel the rates are excessive. If the rates continue, he said the union will demand that the town take over the water rights. He pointed out water is a creation of God and that it is not manufac- tured like other products.
 Commission Set Rates
 Judge OConnell said that the utilities commission, not the wa- ter company, set the rates. Irwin Rudd, chief engineer of the com- mission, explained that there is tendency in setting such rates tO set higher rate rather than lower one, because it is easy to come down but difficult to go up
 MT. Rudd was asked how the in- dustrial consumption rate here un- der the new water meter rate com- pared with the former rates for in- dustry. Industry here has always been metered. He said there is vir- tually no difference between the present charge to industries and the former charge under the old rate, pointing out in some instances it would be higher and in some cases lower. It was then asked by @ member of the local committee if industry is paying no more under the new rate and domestic consum- CTS are paying more. MT. Rudd con- tended that this could not be defi- nitely stated yet because the full trial period of year is not over, but it was brought out that statis- tics for six months indicate this.
 MT. sMoody in a statement men, tioned that the company feels that installation of meters has justified itself for consumption of water for domestic and commercial users dur ing the year 194l was reduced by l96, 100000 gallons of 20 percent of the total consumption. He pointed out the reservoir was not at a danL ger point last fall as were many sup- plies in the state.
 He also said the c. I. R. Glove company consumption has been de- creased 67,000O00 gallons per year due to the company using river water instead of water from the water company. This will make a total reduction of 263. 700, 900 gallons per year and with ordinary increase in consumption, the water storage will be ample for a considerable number Of years, he said.
 He reminded the company has al- ways tried to be fair with local people, and has never been "hard boiled" He pointed out in 1886 the company voluntarily reduced the flat rate rentals about 77 percent, this being done without suggestion from the customers. We have been told that this is the only instance of this kind in the state in recent years" He reminded that during the depression some people owed over tbree years water rent but no one was denied the use of water even if they could not pay their bills.
 Practically everyone has since paid up, he said,
 The eompapy's gross income per year Is 'Oply apoHt 10 percent of our capital assets and our net Income Is only about 3 percent, This we believe to be low or lower than that Of any similar company n the statae,"
 He said the meter rate is iD the longer run faireP than the flat rate because everyone pays for what he uses, There are still undoubtedly Q considerable number Of bills that gre too high but the company be- lleVes most Of these can be 6uhse- auently reduced by elimination gf leaks, he said. In the past tbgae months 99 customers FeAAdled leaks and reduced bills by $500, R saving Of eS3B each, nc said, He urged customers 10 assist the community by eliminating waste and should q revision Of rates De deemed Rdviss Rbls in october, the bills for every customer will be adjusted back 70 the first Of the year, be said,
 Prank Madden pointed out that some lndnstFlal firms here haya pIt ln AEiA6lan wells and asked if tue domestic consumer would have i0 make up t0 the company the loss Og revenue derived from this, Judge O'COnnell said lt was z difficult question 10 allkWeF but hAld tie domestic consumer should not have tO make lip the bills,
 MF, fllldd gas asked Ehnt the average rate per llerf0li 0f e0Dsunp' ton was peF day, He hald it varies in different localities, but eiad tho A,neEean Water Works nksOeatloi figures which showed consumption as between 25 and f0 gallons per day fog domestic tee atla foT sn