The Township lost the case on their water and sewer billing practices to residents and has $9M judgement that is being appealed. This process has cost residents nearly $1M in costs for legal counsel and experienced witnesses. The Township is adding these costs on to your water bill. So… while the cost of water delivery does increase most years, Bloomfield Township residents are getting hit with another self inflicted increase due to the poor management of water department billing practices.
The payouts through September 30, 2019 include: Secrest Wardle – $453,239; Young & Young – $229,551; The Foster Group – $48,247, Bill Hampton – $47,769; Planet Moran – $27,292; Wayne Domine – $17,935. This totals $824,034. There are new fees that will be added for the October – December 2019 period and what ever time is needed until the Appeals Court renders their decision in 2020.
The lawsuit and the costs would not have been necessary if the Township had handled billing and accounting correctly to begin with. So much for Leo’s claim that the “Township has always been fiscally responsible.” NO they have not.
