NPU commissioners continue to amaze

The Norwich Public Utilities commissioners have again amazed me.

These commissioners, who are supposed to represent ratepayers, just gave General Manager Chris LaRose a 2% raise and a $5,000 bonus. From my point of view, the commissioners have never represented ratepayers and appear to be more interested in representing the interests of NPU management. Since the pandemic, NPU has lost about 10% of its revenue. It lost two major utility clients. Residents cannot afford to pay their utility bills and unemployment is at its highest ever.

Most major companies when losing revenue do not give raises and bonuses. To the best of my knowledge, no other department head in the city receives a bonus for simply doing their job. We the ratepayers are about to see increases in our gas, electric, and sewer rates with the approval of our NPU commissioners.

I have asked about one of the commissioners, who sold his home in Norwich and moved away, what is his current address. No one on the Norwich City Council has provided an answer. There are no term limits for NPU commissioners and over the years the commissioners become too friendly with the general manager and give their “pal” anything he wants. (Does anyone remember Derbygate?) Scott M. Harrington Norwich

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