Lockport alderman wants to nix water-rate increase

• Reprints

Updated: February 18, 2012 8:17AM

LOCKPORT — The city council on Wednesday will consider a proposal to eliminate water-rate increases that were approved in 2010.

If the council does vote to eliminate the increases, Mayor Dev Trivedi has the option to veto the council’s action.

If he does decide to veto, Trivedi would be defending the increases approved by a previous council, in which Trivedi enjoyed a majority of votes.

After the April 2011 elections, however, a new council majority formed. That majority has disagreed with Trivedi on several issues — water being an important one.

Water debate

The previous council — after an analysis by the engineering firm of Crawford, Murphy & Tilly — approved water-rate increases in late 2010, citing a need for infrastructure improvements.

At that time, city officials cited a need to catch up after a period of low water rates, deferred equipment replacement and maintenance, and operating with manpower below levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Alderman Kelly Turner, elected a few months later in 2011, has been a key player on the new majority. Turner wants to eliminate the water-rate increases.

The council recently heard a presentation by Robinson Engineering. Robinson played an important role in designing Lockport’s water system during the heavy growth years, Turner said.

Turner said Robinson’s presentation showed that the amount of new spending proposed by Crawford, Murphy & Tilly was not needed.

Also, Turner cited economic concerns in opposing a water-rate increase.

“I have talked to the mayor about this, and I’ve told him that the people of Lockport are worried about keeping their jobs, they’re worried about keeping their houses, and to raise water rates is just another burden on people who can’t afford another burden like this,” Turner said.

Upcoming meeting

On several issues during 2011, Trivedi vetoed proposals by the council majority, and had enough votes on the council to sustain his veto. Wednesday night likely will bring another debate between the two council factions.

In other business Wednesday, the council will hear plans for a crude-oil depot on the former Texaco property, now owned by Chevron.

The city council meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the third-floor boardroom of the Central Square building, 222 E. Ninth St.