Talks continue on possible LASA deal

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Currently, most Columbia residents and businesses pay higher rates than LASA charges — approximately $42 a month verses $81.99 a quarter. But 38 percent of the customers pay the minimum flat fee of $19.44 per month.

Many of the residents in Columbia who pay the minimum flat fee are elderly, Norm Meiskey said, and it's a "major concern" to keep rates equitable.

Kyle said that changes to rates would "ramp up slowly" and could take five or 10 years.

The three main parties — borough council, the municipal authority and LASA — agreed to come with individual goals and objectives. A work group involving LASA and borough employees will share information about current facilities, rates and business practices.

If a deal is reached and the sale moves forward, it would take two to two-and-a-half years to fully implement.

More HERE

Comments

Anonymous said…
As a family of 4, my sewer rate is LOWER than LASA. I pay 24.61 A MONTH AT MOST....some months 20.64....check your numbers.
April 28, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Anonymous said…
I just read this article. I don't think that the numbers are accurate. The Boro residents pay LESS than the customers of LASA. There are 5 people in my house and my monthly sewer bill is $24.64 which equals $73.92 per quarter (or 3 months). LASA costs is $81.99 per quarter (or 3 months). But Like Norm stated - the concern really needs to be with the elderly and I'd like to add to that the EXTREMELY HIGH PERCENTAGE of Boro residents who ALREADY can NOT afford to live here and are losing their homes EVERY DAY. AND the MAJORITY of residents are ELDERLY. Plus take into account the HUGE amount of baby boomers who are nearing retirement age now - This Boro has 2 high rises of more than 200 apartments PLUS St Johns Herr which has how many residents/apartments/cottages (have to get number for them) PLUS Susquehanna Valley Nursing Home... PLUS take into account the couple other smaller "homes" in this Boro which house "people who need daily assistance" of some sort.
April 28, 2013 at 8:31 AM
Anonymous said…
I also have to agree. My sewer bill is 19.44 per month - the minimum.....to go with LASA would costs me an awful lot more money for my sewer.
April 28, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Anonymous said…
I just don't understand.....I have a household of 3 and we all shower everyday, do dishes daily and do laundry on a weekly basis. My sewer bill is never less than $30/month. How can anyone have 4 people in their house and pay 24.61/month? You must NOT bath everyday, impossible!!!!!
April 28, 2013 at 7:09 PM
Anonymous said…
We ALL bathe (shower) DAILY...thank you very much..we also regularly check ALL our toilets and faucets for drips....you'd be AMAZED at how a drip can run up your sewer bill......we have new washer (uses less water too)...no one is home all day every day 5 days week (all work full time). also you don't take 1/2 hour showers !!! just saying.
April 30, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Anonymous said…
i agree! i started saving money wherever we could! Long showers are not allowed. Don't leave water running WHILE brushing your teeth, etc. only turn it on to use it! You'd be amazed at ALL the electronics that are plugged in and not used....just how much electricity it wastes... I kept reading everywhere to unplug those things, it would save you money! well i agree, it DOES save me money...now the next battle - Comcast ...ugh...need more options!
April 30, 2013 at 9:20 PM
Anonymous said…
No doubt you work for the Municipal Authority.
April 30, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Anonymous said…
Great ideas! I'm sure others will be able to add to this list! I agree Comcast is awful. I'm looking into giong with Direct TV right now...I can NO longer afford my cable and internet bill!
May 1, 2013 at 6:33 AM
Anonymous said…
I must add that the numbers they keep talking about are NOT RIGHT !!!!!! SEWER COSTS ARE MORE WITH LASA THAN HERE IN THE BORO ! Somebody got their numbers mixed up or are inaccurate. WE DO NOT WANT LASA.
May 1, 2013 at 9:43 PM
Anonymous said…
It makes absolutely no sense to sell to LASA or to go with LASA......THE BORO MUST STAY IN THE OWNERS SEAT OF THE SEWER PLANT! It's not THAT hard. The Boro ALREADY OWNS the plant. It will COST THE BORO AS MUCH AS OR MORE THAN TO GO WITH LASA THAN TO BUILD A NEW PLANT !!!!! DO THE HOMEWORK. THE NUMBERS ARE WRONG....IT'S WAY CHEAPER FOR SEWER WITH THE BORO THAN IT WILL EVER BE WITH LASA...
it truly is not rocker science. and it truly does NOT take a scientist to figure this one out.
LASA - NO....we are NOT interested. Go away. NO.NO.NO. "It's time to wake up Columbia taxpaying homeowners BEFORE it's too late."
May 2, 2013 at 6:55 AM
Anonymous said…
yep. it's WAY past time for the taxpaying homeowners of this BOro to WAKE UP and DO SOMETHING! STOP sitting back and just letting things happen. Come to the mtgs and let your voice be heard. NOTE: You see the problem is that Mgmt takes silence for approval.
I'm patiently waiting for the announcement of the next mtg for the waste water treatment plant and NO to LASA.......
Hence, why they keep spending more $$$$ on River Park.
May 4, 2013 at 7:02 AM
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