Month: January 2023

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG URGES PURA TO REJECT AQUARION “EXCESSIVE AND UNWARRANTED” 27 PERCENT RATE HIKE

(Hartford, CT) – In a brief filed today with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, Attorney General William Tong urged regulators to reject an “excessive and unwarranted” request by Eversource-owned Aquarion Water Company to raise its rates by 27 percent over three years.

Eversource acquired Aquarion in 2017. This is the first rate case filed by Aquarion since that acquisition, although the company has previously imposed a series of escalating Water Infrastructure and Conservation Adjustment surcharges.

The brief identifies numerous areas to reduce the burden on ratepayers, including a return on equity (ROE) sought by Aquarion that would exceed that of any other regulated utility in Connecticut. The brief urges PURA to reject the use of ratepayer funds for $1.4 million in bonus pay, incentives for the acquisition of smaller unprofitable water systems, and for reimbursements for incomplete infrastructure projects. The brief further identifies several areas where Aquarion has proposed a capital structure that is “uneconomic and burdensome.”

“The Company has failed to meet its burden of showing that such a large rate increase is necessary or appropriate.  To the contrary, the evidence in this proceeding clearly shows that Aquarion’s proposed rate increase is excessive and unwarranted,” Attorney General Tong states in the brief. “Connecticut consumers – especially those on fixed or limited incomes – are simply unable to absorb any further increases in their cost of living.  These customers need the Authority and all of the participants in this proceeding to work to ensure that the water utility rates approved here will be no more than absolutely necessary.”

Bridgeport Police Pursuit Into Milford

2023-01-04@ 5:54pm–#Bridgeport CT– #Milford CT–On Wednesday Bridgeport Police observed a vehicle allegedly involved with a homicide in another jurisdiction. Members from the Fairfield County Regional Auto Theft Task Force, which consist of members from the Bridgeport PD, began to follow the vehicle without lights and sirens from a distance onto I-95 northbound. The vehicle in the Milford area turned off all exterior lights in an attempt to elude any following vehicles and began to accelerate in speed and recklessly changed lanes. The vehicle exited the highway at Exit 37 where it was involved in an accident. Two of the three occupants fled the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. The suspects fled to a wooded area and were unable to be tracked by K9. The occupant that was detained Kaleem Uthmaan of Hamden was charged with C.G.S. 53a-48/53a-123 Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 2nd degree, C.G.S. 53a-126b Criminal Trover 2nd degree, C.G.S. 53a-167a Interfering with Police. Uthmaan was held in lieu of $150,000 bond, pending his arraignment in court. The vehicle reported stolen out of Waterbury, was being processed by New Haven Police.

SENATOR GASTON SWORN IN FOR FIRST TERM AS STATE SENATOR FOR THE 23RD DISTRICT

Today, State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) was sworn in, surrounded by his family, friends, and members of Summerfield United Methodist Church in Bridgeport that he is the Senior Pastor at, in the State Capitol for his first term as the State Senator representing the 23rd Senate District. The 23rd district covers parts of Bridgeport and Stratford. Sen. Gaston was elected to the Senate in November 2022.  

“I am absolutely elated to be here today, in the state capitol, as it is an incredible opportunity to serve the great people here in Connecticut,” said Sen. Gaston. “I want to thank all of the leaders that surround me and I look forward to working with everyone here in the legislature. I want to move forward this upcoming session with practices that ensure a good quality of life for all of our residents here in Connecticut. ”  

Sen. Gaston has an extensive background in governmental relations, higher education administration, criminal justice, church leadership, and social justice advocacy. Sen. Gaston is also the Senior Pastor of Summerfield United Methodist Church in Bridgeport and serves as the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bridgeport, with responsibilities covering the City’s strategic policy development and administrative operations.  

Sen. Gaston will serve as Senate Chair of the Public Safety Committee and Senate Vice Chair of the Human Services Committee.  

Westport News: To Catch A Preditor

#Westport CT-On February 10th , 2022, Westport Police were notified of a YouTube video showing four individuals recording in the parking lot of 397 Post Rd East. Three of the four individuals in the video had allegedly been communicating with the fourth, identified as Paul Sastrum, via on-line chat. The three individuals who were recording the incident alleged that, during the chat, one of them told SASTRUM they were a 14-year-old male. Once SASTRUM was aware that he was chatting with a 14-year-old male, the individuals recording the incident allege he made graphic sexual comments and made it clear he wanted to meet. The recording group allege that SASTRUM agreed to meet in the parking lot in Westport and upon his arrival, they began th#Westport CT-On February 10th , 2022, Westport Police were notified of a YouTube video showing four individuals recording in the parking lot of 397 Post Rd East. Three of the four individuals in the video had allegedly been communicating with the fourth, identified as Paul Sastrum, via on-line chat. The three individuals who were recording the incident alleged that, during the chat, one of them told SASTRUM they were a 14-year-old male. Once SASTRUM was aware that he was chatting with a 14-year-old male, the individuals recording the incident allege he made graphic sexual comments and made it clear he wanted to meet. The recording group allege that SASTRUM agreed to meet in the parking lot in Westport and upon his arrival, they began th#seymoure

recording. At the end of the recording SASTRUM leaves in a vehicle bearing a Connecticut registration plate. This registration plate returned the necessary information to identify the alleged suspect as Paul Sastrum. An arrest warrant was applied for and ultimately granted charging SASTRUM with the above referenced crime. On December 28th , 2022, SASTRUM was charged with the above referenced crimes while at Stamford Superior Court. He was held on a $250,000.00 bond with a court date of December 28th , 2022.

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