By Brian McCready
Milford Bureau Chief
MILFORD — Democratic and Republican officials are trading barbs over a resolution the Board of Aldermen adopted that urges energy conservation but also advocates for a statewide publicly owned electric utility.
Republican Alderman Scott Willey, R-4, assailed the resolution brought forth by Alderwoman Barbara Lambert, D-2, which he calls an "embarrassment for the Milford Democrats."
"In putting forth a meaningless resolution on electricity rates, they have used the very real suffering of our citizens to advance their left-wing socialist agenda and score cheap political points," Willey said. "The truth is that their radical ideas would hurt the very people they say they are trying to help."
Lambert’s resolution, which was approved along party lines in a 9-to-6 vote of the aldermen late Monday, says the aldermen urge the state to work to reduce electric rates, invest large scale in the generation of clean, renewable energy, and move toward creation of a statewide publicly owned electric utility. Republicans, including Willey, vehemently opposed the state taking over government of the electric utility.
He said the idea the state should take over the generation and distribution of electricity is laughable.
"Our state government is a den of incompetence that I would not trust to properly run a lemonade stand," Willey said.
In the resolution, Lambert maintains the United Illuminating Co. has raised its rates by 50 percent and Connecticut Light & Power has raised its rates by 22 percent since 2006, and an additional 7.7 percent in 2007.
The approved resolution will be sent to the clerk of the General Assembly, all lawmakers and Gov. M. Jodi Rell, and local leaders in all 169 municipalities.
But Democratic Town Chairman Richard Smith claims Willey is way out of touch with his constituents and added that he believes Willey watches "way too much Sean Hannity."
"Will Willey not be happy until the entire middle class is under water?" Smith said.
As ratepayers have been hit with a 50 percent hike in their electricity bills, "Democrats believe it’s the responsibility of political leaders to step up, stand up and defend the people of Milford from these out of control hikes," Smith said.
Willey countered the state always likes to "stick it to Milford," and would likely raise the city’s electricity rates higher than any other community. He said he and other officials believe the city has been grossly shortchanged in education dollars from the state.
Aldermanic Chairman Ben Blake, D-5, said Lambert’s resolution is still needed despite the state Monday denying UI’s bid to reopen a 2006 rate case, which eliminated speculation of another rate hike.
Blake said the city still needs to send a clear message that something needs to be done about runaway utility costs.
Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. said the intent of the resolution was muted by the denial of UI’s effort to reopen its rate case.
But Richetelli said to have the state run utilities is "objectionable."