Water bill credit can flow: court

ALBANY — New York’s top court gave its legal blessing Tuesday to Mayor de Blasio’s plan to give homeowners a $183 credit on their water and sewer bills.

In a 5-to-2 decision, the Court of Appeals overturned two lower court rulings and declared the Water Board can give the credit to a select group of customers.

“It is clear from the governing statutes that water and sewer rates may be determined in accordance with public policy goals and not only economic goals,” Judge Eugene Fahey wrote for the majority.

De Blasio said: “The court’s decision clears the way for the Water Board to provide welcome financial relief for more than 664,000 New York homeowners.”

Big landlords, led by the Rent Stabilization Association, sued to block the credit that excluded them.

“We are extremely disappointed in the decision by the Court of Appeals,” said Mitchell Possilkin, counsel to the association.