2006-1192006-119
Resolution Opposing Proposed Rate Increase by Central Hudson Gas & Electric
Corporation
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on April 24,
2006.
The meeting was called to order by Joseph Ruggiero, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor. - Joseph Ruggiero
Councilmembers - Robert L. Valdati
Vincent F. Bettina
Joseph P. Paoloni
Maureen McCarthy
ABSENT:
The following Resolution was introduced b b an V�ldati and seconded by
Councilwoman McCarthy.
WHEREAS, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. ("Central Hudson") has requested
approval of increases in the rates it charges to deliver electricity and natural gas, and
WHEREAS, customers in a typical home would experience increases in their electric
bills of approximately 17 percent for electricity and 16 percent for natural gas as a result of said
increases, and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson's area of service includes the Town of Wappinger and the
proposed rate increases will cause unnecessary hardship for numerous residents of the Town,
particularly those with fixed or limited incomes, as well as placing an additional financial burden
on the Town's taxpayers as the Town's own facilities are served by Central Hudson, and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson has failed to demonstrate a need for the proposed increases,
the annual earnings of its holding corporation, CH Energy Group, Inc., having increased 4.5% in
2005, the corporation having benefited from lower income taxes and Board of Directors having
just acted on March 15, 2006, to declare cash dividends for its preferred shareholders of record,
and
WHEREAS, The matter is presently before the New York State Public Service
Commission and,
WHEREAS, upon consideration, the Town Board finds that such rate increases will
place undue financial burden on residents, businesses and local governments, including the Town
of Wappinger, and discourage further industrial and commercial development in our region, and
WHEREAS, Central Hudson's service area is predominantly suburban and rural, with
electric service provided by overhead lines, thus rendering the expenses of installation,
maintenance and repair to be substantially less than those utility companies in metropolitan areas
where power lines are underground, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of
Wappinger in its capacity as governing body of the Town, does hereby oppose the rate increases
for delivery of electricity and natural gas for which Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. seeks
approval, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be delivered to
the Hon. Jaclyn A. Billing, Secretary, New York State Public Service Commission, the Hon.
Ste_Joel
Step -peri Saland Senator for the 4l District; and -the Hon.—Assemblyman -Miller-l02na
District, by the Town Clerk and the chief executives of surrounding municipalities served by
Central Hudson, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforesaid resolutions shall take effect
immediately.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
JOSEPH RUGGIERO, SUPERVISOR
Voting:
AYE
ROBERT L. VALDATI, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
MAUREEN McCARTHY, COUNCILWOMAN
Voting:
AYE
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
4/24/2006
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
9 C.MAS SON, TOWN CLERK