TRURO – No one has requested formal standing at a hearing on a proposed water rate hike by the Truro Water Utility.
The standing is necessary for anyone wishing to cross-examine witnesses at Friday’s Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearing.
“That doesn’t mean the public is not going to show up,” said executive director Paul Allen.
People can still make comment at Friday’s hearing but will not be able to question others giving testimony. Letters (Clerk of the board at Box 1692, Unit “M”, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3S3) or e-mails (board@gov.ns.ca) can also be sent to the board before Friday’s hearing. People had to apply by Oct. 20 for formal standing. It is not unusual for no one to file for standing for such a hearing in Nova Scotia.
The utility is proposing rates that would increase residential customers with a 5/8” meter by 8.8 per cent in 2010, 10.4 per cent in 2010-11, 6.3 per cent in 2011-12 and 5.9 per cent in 2012-13.
It is also requesting increases in unmetered service and other metered services.
The hearing is slated to begin at 10 a.m. in town council chambers on the third floor of town hall.