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Reduction is sought for Kane sewer bill |
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Written by Publisher
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Tuesday, 19 May 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
Thomas Derrick of Shinglehouse speaks Monday at a meeting of the Kane Borough Sewer Authority. He is seeking a reduction in an $850 sewer bill because of a broken water pipe in his house at 232 Haines St., Kane.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
The Kane Borough Sewer Authority is being asked to reduce a sewer bill for a property which sustained a broken water pipe last winter after the occupant moved out and the gas heat was turned off.
Thomas G. Derrick of Shinglehouse said in a letter that he is "asking for leniency from the board" to lower the sewer bill, which totals about $850. Kane sewer bills are based on water use. Derrick said about 85,000 gallons of water ran after the pipe froze and broke at his property at 232 Haines St.
Derrick reportedly had entered into a lease-purchase agreement to sell the property to Melissa Fink, according to information obtained from the authority. Fink allegedly abandoned the house and broke the contract with Derrick.
According to Derrick the running water from the broken pipe caused an estimated $2,500 in damages to his Kane property. Derrick, who addressed the board at its meeting Monday at the borough building, said he does not believe he should be held responsible for the entire $850 bill due to the broken pipe. He claims that much of the water never entered the sewage collection system.
Authority Chairman Jim Salvamoser said the board will "research" the situation before deciding whether to give Derrick a break on his sewer bill for the property.
In other business at the meeting, the authority:
•Agreed to seek additional proposals to obtain the best interest rate possible for authority accounts.
Ed Sleeman, a Kane certified public accountant (CPA) who serves as treasurer for the authority, contacted three Kane financial institutions. He said Northwest Savings made the best offer. CNB also expressed an interest in the authority accounts, but Hamlin Bank did not, he said.
Mayor Doug Caldwell, a member of the authority, believes the board should look at other financial institutions outside the borough to obtain the best interest rate for its accounts.
The board authorized Sleeman to conduct more research.
•Discussed plans to possibly submit four requests for projects using federal stimulus funds. KLH Engineers of Pittsburgh may be asked to prepare the applications for the funding. The projects involve sewer-line improvements.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 June 2009 )
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