Hingham Speaks Out Against Aquarion Water Rate Increase [Video]

Residents and Hingham officials voiced their opinions against the Aquarion Water Company’s proposed rate increase at Tuesday night’s public hearing at the Town Hall.

The Hingham residents and officials were upset that the Connecticut-based company would raise the price of water at such a tough economic time, especially since Aquarion last raised rates just two years ago in April 2009.

“We would appreciate some relief,” said State Rep Garrett Bradley, D-Hingham. “Everybody else in this particular time is doing more with less and we hope Aquarion and its share holders will do the same.”

Sen. Robert Hedlund, R-Weymouth  said  the timing of the rate increase was very inappropriate and the company should seek other ways to cut costs.

Aquarion proposed to increase rates by 16.5 percent, which would begin next April. If the water company raises the prices as presented, a typical residential customer in Hingham using 700 cubic feet per month would receive an increase of approximately $9.97 per month.

“How does this cost relate to the delivery of water to residents of Hingham and why should they have to pay for it?” Hingham Selectman Laura Burns asked the water company.

Selectman Bruce Rabuffo also spoke out against the company.

“A targeted return of 11 percent, I find unconscionable,” Rabuffo said. “We as Selectman in Hingham have asked our employees to take 0 percent in these difficult economic times and all one has to do is read the newspaper everyday to know we are not out of those economic times.”

Rabuffo said that if the rate increase is approved, the price of water in Hingham would be increasing three times faster than the rate of inflation.

According to Aquarion Vice President of operations Harry Hibbard, the rates will increase because expenses for the company have risen by $1.9 million. The company has also stated that revenues are down by $300,000, and there has been Capital investment of $3.9 million over three years.

“There’s never a time to raise the rate of what you pay for your water and now is no exception,” Hibbard said. “We have worked hard to keep costs down.”

Aquarion said the rates would even be higher if the company had not reduced the power and chemical costs by switching from potassium hydroxide to sodium hydroxide .  The company said they also cut costs by reducing their staff,  upgrading the lighting in the treatment plant and upgrading to more efficient electrical motors at treatment facilities and pump stations.

Tuesday’s hearing drew a small crowd of about 50 residents not only from Hingham but from Hull and Cohasset which are  the other towns being affected,. The Department of Public Utilities which held the hearing, is expected to make a ruling on the increase.