I, too, want to see water and sewer rates lowered for our residents.  We’ve taken steps to hopefully move us in the direction of adjusting rates, and I’m expecting recommendations from DPU by the beginning of the year.  I’ve also asked DPU to explore how we can offer more life-line rates for those that need them. We currently have our MetroCare program for the gas utility, but I want to see expanded options. Our challenge is that we face a number of fixed costs that must be paid that are inseparable from the service of delivering quality water and wastewater services.  We have an aging infrastructure and a combined sewer system and we have to maintain historic canals and water and wastewater treatment plants that were built in the early to mid 1900’s.  Even with these challenges, the City offers the lowest connection fees in the area.  It has also been erroneously communicated that our minimum water rates and our minimum sewer rates are the highest in the country. That is not accurat