Night Out on Main Street August 16, 2025 - How Many Bad Decisions Did the Republicans Make to Stick Us With $35 Million of Debt?
- wtnindependents
- Aug 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Answer Sheet
Don’t negotiate new Water and Sewer rates before your contract expires.
When Waterbury has a public hearing on the proposed rates, don’t show up.
Do not pay Waterbury what they bill you.
Don’t collect the billed amount from the ratepayers.
Don’t tell the taxpayers and ratepayers that you are shortchanging Waterbury.
Don’t tell the taxpayers and ratepayers 18% interest is charged on the deficit.
Make all decisions in executive sessions so the ratepayers can’t find out.
When Waterbury sues you, don’t tell the taxpayers and ratepayers.
Don’t prepare for the possibility that you could lose the lawsuit.
Hire “experts” that testify that Waterbury should charge Watertown just 55% of the expired rates, so the judge can call their conclusions “ridiculous”.
Undercut your credibility with the judge by not providing an exhibit page which is unfavorable to your case.
When you lose the lawsuit and are required to pay Waterbury $18.8 million, do not increase the amount billed to ratepayers to begin to pay the debt.
Do not bill the ratepayers an extra amount to begin to fund the interest owed.
Reject Waterbury’s “settlement overtures” made in August 2023.
Even though you know court cases are rarely overturned, appeal the decision so you can pay more legal fees and interest.
Do not make any plans or preparation for the possibility of losing the appeal.
When you lose the appeal and have a $35 million judgment against you, appeal again so you can pay more interest and legal fees.
Wait until all this happens before you start to figure out what to do.
Paid for by the Watertown-Oakville Independent Party, Cynthia Woodward, Treasurer
Comments