County Backs Rate Consolidating Bill—Bel Air Resident to Testify in Opposition

Allegany County Commissioners added an item to Thursday’s meeting agenda in support of several Maryland house bills, two of which they hope might help the water rates of Bel Air and the surrounding areas.  HB 1187 could give ground for eminent domain of the Bel Air water system, and HB 1164 will consolidate water and sewer companies’ rates.  Bel Air resident Dr. Larry Smith told the commissioners he is for eminent domain, but he will be testifying in opposition of consolidating rates…

“I encourage you to look at just exactly what we see in the literature—smoothing of rates is detrimental.  It is a scam by the private water industry in which consumers lose, and I can tell you that 15% of Allegany County, we’re not going to lose anymore.”