Writings
A shortened version of this article appeared in Binghamton’s Press & Sun-Bulletin Sunday, Aug 10, 2008
All Broome County should be concerned about Binghamton’s Water Woes
By Ed Arzouian
For the next three weeks the City of Binghamton will attempt to explain an 81% increase in water rates to its
residents. At neighborhood assembly meetings Tarik Abdelazim, Executive Assistant to Mayor Matthew T.
Ryan and Treasurer Patti Schwartz will offer short presentations, followed by Q&A sessions. All of Broome
County should be concerned about the City’s water woes.
As a Legislature candidate for Broome County’s District 12 which includes the Village of Johnson City, Town
of Dickinson and Ely Park in the First Ward of the City of Binghamton I will attend the First Ward
Neighborhood Assembly. If you live in Vestal, Town of Dickinson or elsewhere in Broome County, you, too,
should think about attending these meetings. Here is why.
Currently most municipalities in Broome County pay less for water than Binghamton does (see chart below)
Vestal and Town of Dickinson buy water from the City of Binghamton. Vestal is looking at raising its water
rates from $1.99 per 1,000 gallons of water to $2.24 ($1.49 per 100 cubic feet to $1.68, compared to
Binghamton’s soon to be $2.99 ). According to the Adopted 2008 Binghamton budget Vestal pays the same
rates as resident in the City of Binghamton for the water it buys from Binghamton. A Binghamton water rate
increase affects Vestal rates.
Town of Dickinson Supervisor Mike Marinaccio has said that in the current contract his town has with
Binghamton it pays more than what Binghamton residents pay for water and therefore more than Vestal pays
as well. Mr. Marinaccio, who is running for Broome County Executive, has said he plans to attend one of
these meeting to find out more. Mr. Marinaccio has previously said that the current Binghamton rate increases
may cause the Town of Dickinson to no longer buy water from Binghamton.
The water rate increase in Binghamton will no doubt make it more difficult for some people and businesses to
pay their bills. Under the current tax collection agreement between the City of Binghamton and Broome
County it is the County that has to collect delinquent water bills. Last March County Executive Barbara Fiala
was so worried about delinquent accounts overburdening the County she sent a letter to Mayor Matthew T.
Ryan (posted on this publication's web site) warning him that if something was not done about this problem it
might jeopardize the tax collection agreement. While Binghamton has instituted some shut-off policies for large
accounts ($1000 balances), small accounts that are delinquent will probably rise as the rates do. Again, this
becomes a county concern.
Another issue with Broome County’s collection of the late water payments is that it appears these payments
are going to the City General Fund when it should go to the Water Fund. Some people might say where the
money goes is not really a County concern but if the depleted water fund is used as justification for water rates
increase that is not true.
I have personally asked Mrs. Fiala in writing about this concern and was told the county lawyers were
reviewing it. We have never had a clear answer or explanation to that question.
Indeed there are many questions that have not been adequately answered or explained. If citizens do attend
these water meetings ask Mr. Abdelazim why an 81% increase ($1.65 to $2.99) is necessary when it will
generate a SURPLUS of about $2,000,000 every year by my estimate. Binghamton lawyer Ed Crumb, a
member of the East Side Assembly and frequent critic of the Binghamton Water Department at Council
meetings, has estimated the surplus to be about $1,500,000 or so.
I can anticipate Mr. Abdelazim’s answers.
He will say chemicals went up 300%. Yes that is true but only from $100,000 to $300,000.
He will say there is a $300,000 deficit. Again, true, but that would be paid off in less than 2 months.
He will say residents are paying their bills late. Yes, but remember it doesn't really matter because the county
collects the money, plus fees and fines.
Why an increase of 81% when 40% would still raise a surplus of about $1,000,000 per year?
Where is all the money going? What appears to be happening is that the Mayor of Binghamton and his
administration are charging "draw downs" to the Water Fund. They charge the water department inflated
amounts for everything they can (rent, lawyers, computers, labor, collections, software, etc.).
All of Broome County needs to be concerned about this.
In New York City they have raised the water rates by only 14.5% this year and it has brought a huge outcry
from critics and the people. “Shock” is the word they use to describe it.
“The annual rite of raising water rates is set to begin Friday, and ratepayers are in for another shock. Word is
circulating around City Hall that the Water Board of New York, which sets rates, is going to come in asking for
a 14.5 percent increase, several percentage points higher than projected at last year’s go-around. That despite
the fact that the city has started to crack down on water deadbeats and recently started cutting off service to
delinquent homeowners for the first time in memory.” (April 10, 2008, 5:44 pm Brace for a 14.5% Water Rate
Increase By ANTHONY DEPALMA OF NYT)
According to the NY Post in May 2007, NYC homeowners got “hammered” with an 11.5 percent hike - the
largest in 15 years.
The NYC Water Board warned in 2007 year that double-digit hikes of 11.5, 11.4 and 11.3 percent loomed for
each of the next three years. That’s a 34.2% increase in three years. Here in Binghamton we have an outrageous
81% increase. Where is the outcry? This is simply another not-so-hidden tax. (Note: In a seven-year period
New York City’s rates rose 77% while in the same period Binghamton rates rose 127%)
Go to these meeting and find out where you money is going before it is flushed down the drain.
Water Rates in NYS in per 100 cubic feet units = 748.051948 US gallons
Vestal pays $1.99 per 1000 gallons equals $1.49 per 100 cubic feet.
The increase would take it to $1.68
Binghamton used to pay $1.86 per 100 cubic feet in Dec. '06. It will pay $2.99 August '09, an 81% increase.
Endicott $35 minimum, $1.21, $0.88, discount for greater consumption. ($0.88 compared to Binghamton's
proposed $2.99)
Rochester $0.97, $0.83 discount for greater consumption
Watertown $1.52
Utica (Mohawk Valley Water Authority) $2.21~ $2.24~ $1.41~* discount for greater consumption
Cortland $2.00 $1.30 $1.50
Johnson City $20.00, $1.68, $1.55 discounted for greater consumption
Syracuse $2.02
Vestal $20, $1.48 $2.17
Conklin $2.55, discount for greater consumption
All Broome County should be concerned about Binghamton’s Water Woes
By Ed Arzouian
For the next three weeks the City of Binghamton will attempt to explain an 81% increase in water rates to its
residents. At neighborhood assembly meetings Tarik Abdelazim, Executive Assistant to Mayor Matthew T.
Ryan and Treasurer Patti Schwartz will offer short presentations, followed by Q&A sessions. All of Broome
County should be concerned about the City’s water woes.
As a Legislature candidate for Broome County’s District 12 which includes the Village of Johnson City, Town
of Dickinson and Ely Park in the First Ward of the City of Binghamton I will attend the First Ward
Neighborhood Assembly. If you live in Vestal, Town of Dickinson or elsewhere in Broome County, you, too,
should think about attending these meetings. Here is why.
Currently most municipalities in Broome County pay less for water than Binghamton does (see chart below)
Vestal and Town of Dickinson buy water from the City of Binghamton. Vestal is looking at raising its water
rates from $1.99 per 1,000 gallons of water to $2.24 ($1.49 per 100 cubic feet to $1.68, compared to
Binghamton’s soon to be $2.99 ). According to the Adopted 2008 Binghamton budget Vestal pays the same
rates as resident in the City of Binghamton for the water it buys from Binghamton. A Binghamton water rate
increase affects Vestal rates.
Town of Dickinson Supervisor Mike Marinaccio has said that in the current contract his town has with
Binghamton it pays more than what Binghamton residents pay for water and therefore more than Vestal pays
as well. Mr. Marinaccio, who is running for Broome County Executive, has said he plans to attend one of
these meeting to find out more. Mr. Marinaccio has previously said that the current Binghamton rate increases
may cause the Town of Dickinson to no longer buy water from Binghamton.
The water rate increase in Binghamton will no doubt make it more difficult for some people and businesses to
pay their bills. Under the current tax collection agreement between the City of Binghamton and Broome
County it is the County that has to collect delinquent water bills. Last March County Executive Barbara Fiala
was so worried about delinquent accounts overburdening the County she sent a letter to Mayor Matthew T.
Ryan (posted on this publication's web site) warning him that if something was not done about this problem it
might jeopardize the tax collection agreement. While Binghamton has instituted some shut-off policies for large
accounts ($1000 balances), small accounts that are delinquent will probably rise as the rates do. Again, this
becomes a county concern.
Another issue with Broome County’s collection of the late water payments is that it appears these payments
are going to the City General Fund when it should go to the Water Fund. Some people might say where the
money goes is not really a County concern but if the depleted water fund is used as justification for water rates
increase that is not true.
I have personally asked Mrs. Fiala in writing about this concern and was told the county lawyers were
reviewing it. We have never had a clear answer or explanation to that question.
Indeed there are many questions that have not been adequately answered or explained. If citizens do attend
these water meetings ask Mr. Abdelazim why an 81% increase ($1.65 to $2.99) is necessary when it will
generate a SURPLUS of about $2,000,000 every year by my estimate. Binghamton lawyer Ed Crumb, a
member of the East Side Assembly and frequent critic of the Binghamton Water Department at Council
meetings, has estimated the surplus to be about $1,500,000 or so.
I can anticipate Mr. Abdelazim’s answers.
He will say chemicals went up 300%. Yes that is true but only from $100,000 to $300,000.
He will say there is a $300,000 deficit. Again, true, but that would be paid off in less than 2 months.
He will say residents are paying their bills late. Yes, but remember it doesn't really matter because the county
collects the money, plus fees and fines.
Why an increase of 81% when 40% would still raise a surplus of about $1,000,000 per year?
Where is all the money going? What appears to be happening is that the Mayor of Binghamton and his
administration are charging "draw downs" to the Water Fund. They charge the water department inflated
amounts for everything they can (rent, lawyers, computers, labor, collections, software, etc.).
All of Broome County needs to be concerned about this.
In New York City they have raised the water rates by only 14.5% this year and it has brought a huge outcry
from critics and the people. “Shock” is the word they use to describe it.
“The annual rite of raising water rates is set to begin Friday, and ratepayers are in for another shock. Word is
circulating around City Hall that the Water Board of New York, which sets rates, is going to come in asking for
a 14.5 percent increase, several percentage points higher than projected at last year’s go-around. That despite
the fact that the city has started to crack down on water deadbeats and recently started cutting off service to
delinquent homeowners for the first time in memory.” (April 10, 2008, 5:44 pm Brace for a 14.5% Water Rate
Increase By ANTHONY DEPALMA OF NYT)
According to the NY Post in May 2007, NYC homeowners got “hammered” with an 11.5 percent hike - the
largest in 15 years.
The NYC Water Board warned in 2007 year that double-digit hikes of 11.5, 11.4 and 11.3 percent loomed for
each of the next three years. That’s a 34.2% increase in three years. Here in Binghamton we have an outrageous
81% increase. Where is the outcry? This is simply another not-so-hidden tax. (Note: In a seven-year period
New York City’s rates rose 77% while in the same period Binghamton rates rose 127%)
Go to these meeting and find out where you money is going before it is flushed down the drain.
Water Rates in NYS in per 100 cubic feet units = 748.051948 US gallons
Vestal pays $1.99 per 1000 gallons equals $1.49 per 100 cubic feet.
The increase would take it to $1.68
Binghamton used to pay $1.86 per 100 cubic feet in Dec. '06. It will pay $2.99 August '09, an 81% increase.
Endicott $35 minimum, $1.21, $0.88, discount for greater consumption. ($0.88 compared to Binghamton's
proposed $2.99)
Rochester $0.97, $0.83 discount for greater consumption
Watertown $1.52
Utica (Mohawk Valley Water Authority) $2.21~ $2.24~ $1.41~* discount for greater consumption
Cortland $2.00 $1.30 $1.50
Johnson City $20.00, $1.68, $1.55 discounted for greater consumption
Syracuse $2.02
Vestal $20, $1.48 $2.17
Conklin $2.55, discount for greater consumption