CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A community of condos with many units serving seniors says they are being charged an unexpected $6,000 because Chesterfield Township says they need to address a “long-standing gap in utility cost recovery.”
The township says they’ve been backed into a corner by the Great Lakes Water Authority.
For example, according to a January notice, the township is charging NorthPointe condominiums with an extra fee each quarter. The township is calling it a “Fire Suppression Line Readiness to Serve” charge.
Many tell Local 4 their fire suppression systems already use dedicated lines and they call this fee redundant.
They feel they should be grandfathered in and should not have to pay the fee.
“They are living on a fixed income, so when we raise the dues, it impacts them tremendously and it comes to the point where some of these people have to move into different facilities or different locations because they simply can’t afford to live there,” the community’s property manager, who asked not to be identified, said.
“Do you think that’s going to happen?” Local 4 asked.
“Oh, I absolutely do,” the manager said.
She says this all started at the end of January, when the notice was sent. According to the notice, the money will be used to help address the cost gap, saying the charges will make sure properties “contribute appropriately to maintaining system capacity.”
“We are responsible for all of our own utilities for maintenance of those utilities, so once that water and sewer line enters the threshold of our community, it becomes our responsibility to maintain. They are not maintaining it for us, so shouldn’t they get a reduction?” the manager said.
The decision was approved by the township board in November.
“I don’t understand how they are justifying double-charging; it’s like they are double-dipping into the same pocket,” the manager said.
Local 4 went to Chesterfield Township’s offices to get answers.
“We can’t say anything; we were forced into this position,” Township Supervisor Bradley Kersten said. “GLWA is our water service provider. Our community has not raised rates for several years. Unfortunately, we are mindful of the residents here but GLWA keeps raising the rates and we are forced into a position where we don’t have a choice.”
The manager says the change will impact residents and that the move is not in line with other communities.
“How is Shelby getting by without charging any RTS charges, and how are their rates half what Chesterton’s are? Same thing in Macomb township,” the manager said.
Kersten disagreed.
“We are still the lowest rate in the region,” Kersten said. “We maintain a low rate. The problem is economics and everything is inflated.”
Local 4 also reached out to GLWA, but has not heard back.