After three lengthy closed-door deliberations on water rates, the villages of East Williston and Williston Park appear to be at an impasse, according to a letter from the Williston Park Village Board earlier this week. The letter says East Williston officials made “misleading, accusatory comments in the newspapers.”
“The intent of this statement is not to begin a “he said/she said” situation but rather to make the public aware of where the issues stand at this time,” the letter said.
“Williston Park has acted in good faith throughout this process and will continue to do so in hopes of reaching a settlement with East Williston.”
The letter summarizes a 12-point proposal to East Williston, which highlighted Williston Park’s intention of keeping water rates at $4.33 per thousand gallons that a New York State Appellate Court found lawful in 2014. It further suggested any future rate increases because of cost upticks or regulatory requirements be the same for both of the village’s residents.
“This will give the price stability that East Williston’s Board has told us is one of its principal objectives,” the letter stated.
The letter also says Williston Park, who provides water to East Williston, would “compromise on outstanding penalties (nearly $300,000) incurred during lawsuits three years ago. Furthermore, Williston Park suggests a 25-year agreement with East Williston should be considered.
“We’ve met three times and there’s been a healthy exchange of ideas,” East Williston Mayor David Tanner said. “But we were getting to a point where we needed to start putting some structure to what they were offering us. I think [Williston Park] initially balked at that and finally put this in writing together. I think some of it has merit. Some of it is ice in the winter time.”
“They said the agreement would have be broken down into two points, one being a five year agreement, which does nothing for our side,” Parente said. “Putting all this aside, this is great that we finally have something in writing to go on.”
Prior to the three meetings dating back to January, East Williston proposed a $7 million water supply plan if a settlement with Williston Park is not reached.
“We plan to move forward on parallel tracks, still hoping that we can resolve the issues,” Parente said of the independent water system. “If we cannot, we have an obligation to find an alternative to our residents.”
The argument over water rates imposed on East Williston for the last four years sparked legal proceedings and multiple, raucous public meetings and hearings. Williston Park has raised the price of water twice in the past three years.
“It’s very disingenuous for [Williston Park] to say that they have given us this proposal,” East Williston Deputy Mayor Bonnie Parente said. “The first time we saw this proposal was when it was given to us by [the newspapers].”
In 2011, water rates increased from $2.99 per thousand gallons to $3.83 for East Williston. That was followed with an increase to $4.33.
East Williston filed two lawsuits against after the increases. In July 2014, the New York State Supreme Court found in favor of East Williston in the first lawsuit, stating that Williston Park should have held a public hearing.
“The [water system] is our plan B,” Tanner said. “If we entered into a long-term agreement with Williston Park, we’d be essentially foregoing this option permanently.”
However, the court ruled in favor of Williston Park in the second lawsuit stating they were within its right to raise the water rates in 2012. In September, a judge ordered East Williston to pay $600,000 in payments withheld during the arguments, including interest accrued.
