Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that a resolution adopted by the City Council on March 26, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on March 27, 2025, authorizing the Hiring of Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as Special Counsel to Represent Participating Westchester Municipalities in Con Edison’s Electric and Gas Rate Case Before the Public Service Commission - (the Municipality’s share of the legal fees shall be determined based on an equal division among all participating municipalities, with the total amount of such representation not to exceed $100,000 (i.e., $100,000 / 20 municipalities = $5,000 each and will only take effect if at least twenty (20) municipalities agree to be represented by Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC in this matter; Mount Vernon’s legal fee of $5,000 shall be allocated under Budget Code A1010.405)); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING
OF JOEL R. DICHTER OF DICHTER LAW LLC
AS SPECIAL COUNSEL TO REPRESENT
PARTICIPATING WESTCHESTER MUNICIPALITIES
IN CON EDISON’S ELECTRIC AND GAS RATE
CASE BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2025, Con Edison filed a petition with the New York Public Service Commission to increase electric and gas rates as of January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, under this petition, electric rates would rise by 18% with residential delivery charges increasing by 25.1%, and natural gas delivery rates rising by 19.1%; and
WHEREAS, this Con Edison rate hike proposal comes after an increase of 20% in rates over the past three (3) years and any further significant increases would have negative financial impacts on residents and businesses within Westchester County; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Commission is currently reviewing Con Edison’s petition for an electric and gas rate increase; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the CITY OF MOUNT VERNON to be represented in this matter to ensure the concerns of local governments and its residents are adequately addressed; and
WHEREAS, Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC has the necessary experience and expertise to represent the interests of the participating Westchester County municipalities in this case and has submitted a proposal dated February 13, 2025 to represent participating municipalities; and
WHEREAS, the proposal includes intervening in the rate case, conducting discovery, retaining expert witnesses, preparing briefs, and attending all hearings and any settlement negotiations at a total cost that shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) which would be split equally among all of the participating municipalities that accept to his representation in this rate case; and
WHEREAS, such representation will only proceed if at least twenty (20) municipalities agree to be represented by Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED by the MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL of the CITY OF MOUNT VERNON as follows:
1. The Municipality hereby authorizes the hiring of Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as special counsel to represent participating Westchester municipalities in Con Edison’s Electric and Gas Rate Case before the Public Service Commission; and
2. The Municipality’s share of the legal fees shall be determined based on an equal division
among all participating municipalities, with the total amount of such representation not to exceed $100,000 (example: ($100,000 / 20 municipalities = $5,000 each); and
3. This authorization shall only take effect if at least twenty (20) municipalities agree to be represented by Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC in this matter.
4. The MAYOR OF MOUNT VERNON, SHAWYN PATTERSON-HOWARD is hereby authorized to take all necessary actions to execute agreements and related documents and make payments in furtherance of this resolution.
AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Village of Rye Brook shall coordinate the payment to Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC on behalf of the participating municipalities for representation in this Con Edison electric and gas rate case.
5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council.