III. Procedural Summary

A prehearing conference was held on June 15, 2000. On July 17, 2000, Commissioner Josiah L. Neeper issued a Scoping Memo and Ruling of Assigned Commissioner categorizing this proceeding as a ratesetting proceeding and designating Administrative Law Judge Bertram Patrick as the principal hearing officer.

A public participation hearing was held in Norwalk on August 28, 2000. The hearing was well attended. Customers generally complained that Park's rates were too high compared to adjacent city-owned water departments. They complained about the inability to afford water for garden use. The Commission received over 50 letters opposing Park's request for increased rates.

Following issuance of RRB's reports, on August 28, 2000, the first day of evidentiary hearing scheduled in this proceeding, the parties announced that they had reached agreement in principal on all issues, and requested leave to file a settlement. Thereupon, the evidentiary hearing was held in abeyance pending filing of the settlement. On October 26, 2000, the parties filed a Motion for Adoption of Settlement (Settlement), which resolved all outstanding issues. Accordingly, this matter was submitted for decision.