Res. No. 137
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.1508/S.1891, to create a property tax abatement for homeowners and a water and sewer charge abatement for not-for-profit entities that install a sewer line check valve
Body
By Council Member Constantinides
Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP"), under heavy rain conditions where the flow in the sewer rises and meets or exceeds the sewer's capacity, basement plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, and drains are vulnerable to sewer backups; and
Whereas, When the City's sewers back up into residential homes it can cause thousands of dollars' worth of damage; and
Whereas, The installation of a sewer line check valve could prevent sewer water back up; and
Whereas, When sewer water rises to the level of basement plumbing, the sewer line check valve closes and prevents entry of the sewer water through the plumbing into the home; and
Whereas, DEP encourages the use of these check valves to prevent sewage backup; and
Whereas, The New York State Assembly introduced Assembly bill A.1508 and the New York State Senate introduced Senate Bill S.1891, which would be called the "Sewage Flooding Prevention Act"; and
Whereas, The legislation would provide any homeowner who installs a sewer line check valve in his or her home with a property tax credit equal to half the value of purchasing and installing the check valve, up to two thousand dollars; and
Whereas, The legislation would provide any not-for-profit entity that owns a building or a dwelling and installs a sewer line check valve in that building or dwelling with an abatement of its water and sewer charges equal to half the value of purchasing and installing the check valve, up to two thousand dollars; and
Whereas, According to the State Legislature's Memorandum in Support of A.1508 and S.1891, the sewer li...
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