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High water bills prompt residents to organize By Ali Raza 11 | Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, September 8, 2016 aliraza@yrmg.com Stouffville residents on fixed incomes can't afford a recent spike in water bills, says the organizer of a ratepayers' group. Jack Verhoog and his neighbours ­ who live around Booth Drive and Thicketwood Boulevard near Stouffville Memorial Park ­ reported higher than normal water bills during the summer. Prompted to take action, Verhoog placed an ad inviting residents to a meeting on Aug. 2 at town hall to discuss the "abnormally high water bills," town spokesperson Glenn Jackson confirmed. "If you protect people with fixed incomes now, they'll be protected from further increases," Verhoog said, who added he'd received 80 emails about the meeting where 60 people attended. As of April 1, 2016, the Regional Municipality of York increased rates for water and wastewater services. Verhoog believes this is why his bills and those of his neighbours have been higher than usual. Rates for the average household in the region will jump $93 this year, $101 in 2017, $110 in 2018, $120 in 2019, $131 in 2020 and $45 in 2021. The average household bill for water and wastewater is $1,032 per year across the region. While the region argues the hike is to cover operating costs, meet regional expenses, maintain $5.3 billion worth of infrastructure and pay off debt, Verhoog says residents with fixed income cannot keep up with price hikes. `If you protect people with fixed incomes now, they'll be protected from further increases.' He has been in contact with York Region Chairman and former Whitchurch-Stouffville mayor Wayne Emmerson. Jackson concurred with Verhoog's claims. "The town is currently verifying the accuracy of the water meters in question and confirming that the submitted readings may have been estimates and not actual readings," Jackson said. "To date the town has not found any meters that would contribute to the inaccuracy of the readings." Jackson said the town is trying to resolve the issue. Verhoog has praise for the town's acting CAO, Rob Raycroft. "I'm very, very pleased with him (Raycroft)," Verhoog said. "Everything I put forward was taken care of." with files from Lisa Queen uReport | Reader-submitted content | www.yorkregion.com/ureport Stouffville Churches Welcome You Anglican Church of Canada 254 Sunset Blvd., 905-640-1461 www.stouffvilleanglican.ca 905-591-3200 6273 Main St., Stouffville Sunday, September 11th Blessing of the Backpacks 8:00 am & 10:00 am Eucharist Nursery & Church School at 10am Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays Morning Prayer at 9:15am Wednesday, September 14th Seniors' Service & Tea 10:00 am Thursday, September 15th Morning Prayer 9:30 am Bible Study 10:00 am Christ Church To ST. JAmeS Stouffville PreSbyTeriAn 6432 main St., Stouffville 905-640-3151 Rev. Joan Masterton, Minister Sunday, September 11 Service of Worship Rev. Joan Masterton, minister 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17 Habitat home construction Stouffer St. and Main St. Bring a hammer! Sunday, September 18 "Welcome Back Sunday" celebration service and barbecue 10:00 a.m. Welcome church STouffville PenTecoSTal church Sunday Service @ 10am (Sunday School for Kids) Lead Pastor : Jeff Laird Children's Pastor : Lori Attack Youth Pastor : Steffan Watson Student programs to resume in September Stouffville Christian Fellowship A Church in a Beautiful Countryside Pastor Walter Robbins Sunday Service Lunch to follow Stouffville York Durham line 30 10:30am Sideline 28 Claremont Bridge Out major mackenzie markHam Brock rd. 8th Conc. 7th Conc. Hwy. 7 Hwy. 407 BrougHam PiCkering All Welcome Come & See 345 Glad Park Ave. Stouffville 905-640-6954 6853 Main St. Stouffville 905-640-5696 www.spcfamily.ca * everYone WelcoMe * 860 Conc. 8, Claremont 905-649-2812 Rev. Elizabeth Rev. Elizabeth Cunningham Cunningham "A friendly family church" Weekend Masses Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 9:00 am, 11:00 am www.stmarkstouffville.ca BLOOMINGTON GOSPEL CHURCH 13660 Ninth Line N. (905) 642-4414 Rev. Peter Pallant 34 Church St. N. · 905-640-1163 office@stouffvilleuc.ca Sunday, September 11 10:00 am Worship Service Welcome Sunday (Rally Time) Sermon Title: Honest Conversation Children's Worship Congregational Lunch hosted by the Worship Committee Everyone Welcome! www.stouffvilleuc.ca Sunday, September 11, 2016 9:30 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - Worship Service 12:30 pm - Sunday School Picnic Everyone Welcome! To Advertise Please call 905-640-2612