Thursday, October 1, 2026
In response to the Long Island Water Company’s recent proposed 19.49 percent rate increase for 2012, Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare called an emergency meeting of neighboring villages that included Lynbrook Mayor Bill Hendrick, Village clerks and administrators of Valley Stream, Lynbrook and Cedarhurst, and LIAW President William Varley. The officials expressed their displeasure with the increase, and noted in particular, the unfortunate timing in light of the current tough economic times.
On May 1, LIAW petitioned the New York State Public Service Commission for the increase, to be effective as of April 1, 2012. It has, however, been the past practice of the PSC to grant utilities only a portion of what is requested by the utility with regard to rate increases — it then amortizes the increase over a number of years.
Varley’s explanation for the need for the increase is that the utility expended $54 million in remediation to stop brown water in the area. Recent improvements included a $2 million substation at Arlington Avenue in Valley Stream and a new water remediation facility planned for 15 Whitehall Street in Lynbrook, which once installed, will service the east end of Valley Stream and the West end of Lynbrook.
Seven incorporated villages in Nassau County are customers of LIAW and as such are included in the proposed rate hike: Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Atlantic Beach, Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Malverne and Lawrence have considered preparing a consolidated effort -seeking relief from the PSC.
In an earlier letter to the PSC, Fare wrote, “This exorbitant potential rate increase is well above inflation or any reasonable return on an investment that a utility has a right to promulgate on an already financially stressed public.
“A rate increase, while simultaneously ignoring the energy savings associated with the merger is unconscionable, particularly during the current economic climate,” said Hendrick. “It is outrageous to raise taxpayer rates at this time. I will fight it every step of the way.”
A spokesperson for Parise said that “it is never a good time to raise taxes or increase rates, especially at this time. agree with Mayor Fare, of Valley Stream, that an increase of 19.5 percent is way out of line. Let’s take a cue from our Governor and our State Senator, Dean Skelos, 2 percent cap for all.”
“I understand that the Water Company spent money with the remediation projects, but it is their job to provide us with clean, drinkable water,” said Fare.” A 19.5 percent increase is way out of line and will have a devastating effect on the pocketbooks of our taxpayers.”
