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Water meter opt-out appreciated but fees a burden

letter-sta

The St. Albert Gazette previously reported on the originating application I filed with the Alberta Supreme Court against the City of St. Albert after the City cut off water service to Jeanne's and my home on Oct. 31, 2018. The City cut off our water service because we would not accept a smart water meter. It was only after the legal action was initiated that the City administration restored our water service and stopped cutting water service to other residents.

On April 26 of this year, I suspended the legal action pending a decision by City Council on a smart water meter opt-out program. On Monday, City Council unanimously passed a new water bylaw which permits any resident to opt-out of having a smart water meter. Therefore, I have decided to not proceed with the legal action. I will file for a discontinuance with the court as soon as possible so that both the City and I can avoid further legal expenses.

The fact that our water service and the water service of many other people was cut off is still hurtful to us and demonstrated a lack of respect for individual rights. It saddens and disturbs us to think about how people have been treated over the smart water meter issue.

I do appreciate the eventual unanimous decision by City Council to permit people to opt-out. The new fees and penalties, however, are not cost-based and will be a burden that may not permit some people to eliminate the smart water meter from their home. And the new water bylaw does nothing to address the situation where people have a disability related to electromagnetic sensitivity. Those people deserve the same consideration as any others with a recognized disability. I have to live in the hope that a future Council will have more sensitivity when dealing with this issue in the future.

I look forward to communications from the City advising residents that if they wish to have the smart water meter removed from their home, they can do so without cost until February 28, 2020. They will, however, have to accept the terms and fees described in the new water bylaw.

Jerry Manegre, former alderman, City of St. Albert, 1987-92

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