Navigating an organization’s policy can be quite frustrating, ask anyone who’s tried to cancel a gym membership.
The company that owns nearly a dozen non-residential properties in Cambridge is raising concerns over an increase in stormwater service fees. The issue isn’t just dedicating the money; the company is claiming that the city’s application process for a credit to offset the costs is complicated and unfair.
In the summer, the municipality changed the way it bills for stormwater service. Traditionally, it was included in the property tax bill. It now appears as a separate line item.
The amount a property owner pays is based on the type of property —residential or non-residential— and the number of hard surfaces, like roofs or parking lots.
The operators of TW Properties believe the system disproportionality targets businesses. The company operates 11 properties in Cambridge, five of which it pays the water bill, now a combined $11,000.
Heather Emberly, Office Administrator with TW Properties, was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show. She was tasked with applying for the stormwater tax credit.
“Unfortunately, their credit application program isn’t very user-friendly,” she said.
Emberly described how, after getting through the first few questions on the application form, she was met with a major hurdle. To complete the application, engineered drawings would need to be submitted.
“If you don’t have an engineered drawing for your property, you’re not able to even apply for the credit. As of the time I was speaking to them, nobody had been able to successfully complete the application, let alone get the credit back.”
The credit is intended to help offset costs if the company takes measures to mitigate run-off. But without the drawings, the application is dead.
Emberly pointed out that the application is subject to approval. So, a company could pay for engineered drawings only to have the application rejected. She wondered if that might be impacting application submission.
She said the company’s focus right now is on its tenants.
“This isn’t my fight. It’s not about what we’re paying; we’re hearing back from them. Instead of telling each one of them they can complain to the City of Cambridge by themselves, I decided to be more of a voice for them.”
At a recent budget committee meeting, Emberly spoke about the problems with the program and asked council to consider changes. She said dealing with the city has been a challenge.
“It’s definitely been a frustrating process trying to talk to the City of Cambridge. It is definitely not being well received. Anytime I try to tell them I’m having issues, they say, ‘Oh, we’re not hearing it from anyone else,’ but I talk to the Chamber of Commerce. I talk to our tenants, there are definitely other people out there dealing with it.”
She said she’s reached out to her MP, Connie Cody and the premier’s office, only to be met with boilerplate responses.
In a statement to 570 NewsRadio, the City of Cambridge confirmed there had been no applications approved at this time; however, 22 documented inquiries have been received, three of which have potential. It also said one application has been completed and is currently under review.
“The City recognizes that the stormwater credit application process is very new. It anticipates and supports future reviews and improvements to the process based on the public’s feedback,” it reads. “City staff are happy to connect with property owners over the phone at 519-623-1340 and discuss the credit process as well as outline the eligibility requirements of the program.”