SHOCKING AND IRRESPONSIBLE
City Commits To Spending Millions More Only
Hours After Receiving Damaging PUC Testimony
Within hours of receiving 137 pages of extremely damaging testimony to their eminent domain case, the city committed hundreds of thousands of additional dollars, and perhaps as much as $1.5 million more, to their misguided effort to take Pennichuck.
And they did so by signing a contract with French-owned Veolia, the company the city has contracted with to operate the water system if it’s successful in its hostile takeover of Pennichuck. They signed without taking time to understand the significance of the PUC expert staff testimony that stated firmly that a taking of Pennichuck by eminent domain is not in the public interest.
Could the aldermen have even read through the PUC staff testimony before they decided to proceed? Did they seek the advice of others who are perhaps better versed in how the PUC may rule in a case such as this?
Do they know what this means? This means:
- If the city does not proceed with the takeover effort, it must pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, and perhaps much more, to Veolia – a contractor who may never be authorized to do any work for the city.
- The total amount of taxpayer dollars spent or committed on this battle could now be $5 million or more.
The city says it is following the will of the people. Who are they kidding? Only 15% of registered voters cast their ballots in support of a loosely worded takeover referendum in 2003. And recent surveys consistently show that the overwhelming majority of residents do not support a takeover.
In view of all the information that has come to light, one has to wonder how the consultants can continue to advise the city to follow through with its eminent domain fight. Of course these are the same consultants who are taking in millions of dollars as the battle continues.
Contact your city officials and tell them their actions are indefensible.
Pennichuck Corporation
New Hampshire’s Oldest
Continuously Operating Business
April 23, 2006
