During the two-hour meeting, several councilmen spoke and expressed concerns. The biggest supporter was Mike DeSorbo who stated the citizens have expressed their opinion that the MSST plant is their top priority and that the proposal submitted by O’Sullivan Creel is a fair. Jewel Canada-Wynn said she had met with her constiuents and they favored the plan which called for $3.60/mo. sewage rate increase.
Mayor John Fogg, J.D. Smith, Ron Townsend, John Jerralds and Mike Wiggins were strongly in favor.
P.C. Wu was concerned that the City would be hitting the residents with a santitation rate increase later this year and the two rates increases might be a burden.
Jack Nobles and Marty Donovan (No surprise) were the most vocal in opposition. Nobles was concerned over the fairness of the proposal and whether using CRA money would prevent the CRA from doing other projects like sidewalks in Old East Hill, North Hill and Seville Historic districts. He worried about the impact of the City and County rolling back tax rates in 2007-08 might have on the projected CRA revenues. Fairness was his central theme – over and over again – not whether the plant should be moved.
Donovan (now with a “UNABOMBER” beard) complimented Nobles. Couldn’t resist a pot shot at Community
Maritime Park. Then said he believed ECUA should raise their rates another $2 a month and fund the whole thing. Like Nobles, he pointed out the City set a $4-plus rate for a storm water utility because it was the right thing to do. ECUA should do the same.
Despite their comments Donovan and Nobles voted for the motion, but there’s no guarantee they will approve the interlocal agreements.
45-50 people were in attendance: Carl Werniecke, Mark O’Brien, Michael Stewart of the PNJ; George Touart, Fred Donovan; ECUA Board members – Elvin McCorvey, Lois Benson, Larry Walker; Charles Fairchild, Byron Kessler, P.A. Ucci, Gary Sansing, Dick Baker.