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Delinquent fees raised for Mt. Jewett sewer bills |
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Written by Publisher
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Wednesday, 13 May 2009 |
MT. JEWETT -- The list of delinquent sewer accounts in Mt. Jewett represents only three percent of the customers
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
MT. JEWETT -- The list of delinquent sewer accounts in Mt. Jewett represents only three percent of the customers.
But the names of the deadbeats seem to be same every time the list is reviewed by the Mt. Jewett Regional Sewer Authority.
In an effort to entice these continual delinquent customers to pay their bills on time, the authority agreed Tuesday to raise three fees associated with late payments.
The new fees include:
•$15 for the first late notice. This letter is sent out to customers who have not paid their bills within 30 days. At this point, the customers also face a 10 percent late fee based on their bill. The fee for the first late notice had been $5.
•$25 for "posting" a residence or business for a water shutoff. This action is taken 10 days after the first late notice. The "posting" fee had been $15.
•$65 for a water shutoff. This final action is taken if the customer still fails to pay the bill or make payment arrangements. The shutoff fee had been $50. The shutoff fee is split on a 50-50 basis with the Mt. Jewett Borough Water Authority, which performs the disconnection.
Voting in favor of the raise in fees for delinquent accounts were Authority Chairman Patrick McGuire and board members Larry Julian, Mike Wennerstrom, Dick Danielson and Paul Ewing.
According to authority secretary-treasurer Barb Harp, the current list of delinquent accounts has 15 customers who owe a total of $1,172. There are about 450 customers in the sewage system.
During discussion of the delinquent accounts, McGuire said he personally favors an increase in the late fees because "we need to make it hurt." He said the current fee schedule for delinquent payments "is not working."
"We provide a service and we expect to be paid," Julian said in supporting the increase in late fees.
Julian said the current $5 fee for the first late notice is "not a bad deal" because it's so small.
He said the increase may reduce the number of delinquent accounts, but "it won't stop all of it." He said "it's the same people" on the delinquent list "all the time."
According to discussion, delinquent customers can wait nearly two months to pay their bills before having their water shut off. Harp said "most" delinquent customers come up with the money to pay their bills to avoid a water disconnection.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 June 2009 )
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