DeSena, Saladino, Slam Hochul’s PSC Over Water Rate Hikes

“Long Island is not your money tap” declared North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena and Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino in denouncing Governor Kathy Hochul for hitting Long Islanders with another massive increase in water rates.

DeSena and Saladino were joined by Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti and many other Long Island officials gathered to denounce the latest rate hikes from Liberty Water, which are being fast-tracked by the Hochul-appointed NYS Public Service Commission.

The PSC scheduled only two – inconveniently timed - public hearings for Long Island customers.

Calling the Hochul PSC’s green-lighting of rate increases an “act of cowardice,” the Supervisors called out Liberty Water and the Public Service Commission for their underhanded efforts.

Supervisor Ferretti is demanding that the Hochul PSC should outright reject these proposed rate hikes - and tell Liberty to go back to the drawing board.

“The proposed rate increases are both alarming and tone-deaf at a time when Long Island families are already struggling with a very real affordability crisis,” said DeSena. “Demanding they pay hundreds of dollars more for an essential service shows a troubling lack of concern for our hardworking families.”

“Residents should not have to worry about whether they can afford something as basic as water,” added DeSena.  

Liberty New York Water serves parts of the North Shore (Sea Cliff) District, which includes communities like Sea Cliff, Glen Head, Glenwood Landing, and parts of Roslyn and Roslyn Harbor.

“The Public Service Commission has approved over 48 rate hikes in recent years, and people are being forced out of their homes because of soaring utility rates,” added Saladino. “It’s time Albany listens up and puts a stop to this nonsense.”

“Long Island residents deserve safe drinking water and dependable infrastructure, but they also deserve a voice in decisions that will drive up their bills,” noted Supervisor DeSena. “Our residents shouldn’t be forced to shoulder these excessive costs without a meaningful opportunity to be heard.”

Liberty Water customers could soon see higher monthly bills, with residents in Sea Cliff forced to pay an additional $26.89 - or more - per month.

The average Liberty Water customer in Nassau County already pays nearly $2,000 annually.

The Supervisors called for all residents to sign a petition against these rate hikes at “Change.org/StopLibertyRateHikes.”