Jewett City electric company claims bragging rights, while keeping rate payers in the dark

In a Sunday, February 25, 2007 letter to the editor published by the Norwich Bulletin, the three gentleman that serve as commissioners of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities stated, "Our community enjoys electric rates that are 20 percent lower than those of Connecticut's investor owned utilities."

The three commissioners went on to claim, "Unfortunately, that was incorrectly reported in recent articles that appeared in the Norwich Bulletin . . . and has caused understandable concern for our customers."

"The borough's kilowatt-hour rate is slightly higher than CL&P's rate right now because the utility services only 2,200 customers, most of whom are residential and do not require enough electricity supply to lower the purchase price," said Ken Sullivan, director of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities in a January 7, 2007 article published in the Norwich Bulletin.

Wow ... how is it that Ken Sullivan, the Director, says one thing and then his three politically appointed bosses say something else completely different? Ken Sullivan said, "Slightly higher than CL&P" but, his bosses just said, "20 percent lower."

"Understandable concern?" Rate payers are far more than concerned; they are outraged by the "double-talk" coming from the politically appointed commissioners of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities.

A possible explanation?

A correction printed by the Norwich Bulletin on January 9, 2007 stated, "Connecticut Light & Power charges $57.79 in fees while Jewett City Department of Public Utilities charges only $21.78. The bills recording the same usage would cost the Connecticut Light and Power customer $137.10 but the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities customer $113.69."

There is a $36.01 dollar difference between the fees charged; but, only a $23.41 dollar difference between the bills based on usage. That leaves $12.60 unaccounted for in the comparison between CL&P and Jewett City electric. Based on an average 700 kilowatt hour bill, that could mean that Jewett City electric costs 1.8 cents more per kilowatt hour than CL&P.

Sorta looks like the Jewett City electric director, Ken Sullivan, was correct when he stated that JCDPU had a slightly higher kilowatt per hour rate when compared to CL&P.

Stop the "Double-Talk"

In a February 16, 2007 article published by the Reminder Newspaper, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden stated, "Right now we have three gentlemen serving as commissioner who decide what happens, and they won't be re-appointed if the people vote for me and the two burgess candidates running with the Jewett City Party."

Ward indicated, "The first priority is to get a consumer board set up to give people access to the process, to have a way for people to be listened to, and for us to have an impact on what happens." Ward was referring to his plan to create a Consumer Board of Utility Control to oversee the management and performance of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities.

On January 17, 2007, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden, first announced his plan to give Jewett City residents a "seat at the table where the decisions are made." Ward stated, "Introducing and passing an ordinance creating the Consumer Board of Utility Control will be a priority for my administration."

Correct the wrongs of the past!

Last year on June 30th, the three commissioners of the Jewett City public utilities made a 44% rate hike in sewer fees retroactive back to January 1, 2006. Ward has pledged, "Every current customer that was charged the retroactive sewer increase will receive a credit to offset the charges assessed last summer."

"It is just wrong to retroactively increase a utility bill," said Ward. He continued by explaining, "The more than $5 million dollar Jewett City utility surplus fund will be more than adequate to correct the wrongs of the past."

Vote on May 7, 2007 - Jewett City Party appreciates your support!!