Herald & Lantern 16 December 81

MUA Says Rates May be Lower

SWAINTON-Chairman John Vinci reported today that letters have been sent to the 'mayort of participating communities asking them to set a date to meet and discuss the User rate charges study of the county Municipal UtiliUes Authority that has been the subject of recent debate. He said a meetingr has already been arranged with Sea Isle City officials. "The report is presently • in the review stage by'staff and authority members and I am encouraging all . comments and criticisms,” Vinoi Reported. ••ADDITIONALLY, our staff and consultants have already begun to seek ways to take advantage of the conservatism built into our rate process,” Vinci noted, ‘There are many unique cost saving potentials that will surface and the conservatism employed in tHe rate report will clearly be indicated. \ ‘‘For example, we based our borrowing rates on paying 11 percent interest. Now the interest is at 9 percent on short term notes and going down all. the time,” Vinci explained. ‘•WE ALSO PROJECTED zero income from the marketing operation of the compost product. We full realize that there is a market for this product but cannot presently put a dollar figure on it. "We projected no state grant money within the report. Now we know it will be forthcoming. This will definitely have a positive effect on the eventual user rates when they dome to function. / “AS IN ANY\ final

correction('IcibortUion

Typographical errors last week incorrectly spelled the name and dropped a line from the story on the Wonderland of Lights display at the Francis Meerwald (not Meerwalk) home in South Dennis. The lights went on yesterday for the holidays. On the evening of Dec. 21 only, the inside of the home will also be open for a tour, with all proceeds going to St. Elizabeth s Church in Goshent

Amana. Touch made it . '}-^{MlaSUtsTU£&',

\

ON DISPLAY NOW at... A . CAPE LJ MAY

MICROWAVES . FROM *249

#

OAKY t TO 5 SAT.tTOI EVfNMOSBYAm

design,” Vinci explained, "the engineers continually look for ways to optimize the design which will result in reduced construction costs. 'For example., the ocean outfall designs for the Wildwood/Lower and Seven Mile/Middle Regions are presently being optimized under final design which may ultimately result in shorter oqUjill lengths, and thereby, reduce the overall

capital expenditures. "Also, in the Cape May Region, agency officials suggested the continued use of the present outfall instead of the huge expense of connecting to the proposed Wildwoods/Lower outfall,” Vinci said. "The NJDEP initially and consistently told us to design the outfall system far the Cape May Region to be a part of a joiqt Wildwoods/Lower outfall. Now, there’s a possibility

the regulatory agency will relent and we can save more than $23 million.” Vinci said if that happens, along with other factors, the user rates could be' affected downward. "All of this information points to the reasons why we used the conservative approach in developing‘the proposed rates. If we erred, it was better to err on the high side. We would be pleased if all these circumstances came true and our costs could be trimmed," the MUA chairman concluded.

NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS

Th« Mil* on itomt In lh« circular in tcJay't pap*; b*gan on Tuotdoy. Thu» certain il#mi moy b* •oldout. Should thi* occur. pl*a»« po !o our »*rvlc* d#»h o! tin. front of th* ■tor* and roquott a roinch*ck. ' Thonk You>