Robbinsville – The latest Robbinsville aldermen meeting saw some contention during a discussion of the town’s water billing policy.
During a portion of the Oct. 6 meeting concerning water meters, Alderman Shaun Adams alleged that the town had gone against its own policy for shutting off delinquent water customers for three residents, one of whom is a relative of Robbinsville Mayor Steve Hooper.
However, Alderman Brian “Taco” Johnson asserted that Hooper had no part in the decision. The mayor was not present at the meeting.
“Just for the record, the mayor had nothing to do with this,” Johnson said.
Alderman Debbie Beasley said there had been a death in one of the families prior to the town not shutting the water off, despite their delinquency.
“During that time, they just wanted to come down here, but weren’t able to come down here,” Beasley said. “I understand that. We have to treat people as if they are a person, instead of just being money in the till.
“Even as a credit card person – if you’ve not been late and you actually are late one time – if you call them, nine times out of 10 that credit card company will say ‘you haven’t been late,’ or ‘I understand.’ They will take a one-time situation and not give you that charge.”
Like Johnson, Beasley asserted that the mayor was not involved in the decision.
“The mayor had nothing to do with my decision. My decision had to do with treating them like people,” Beasley said. “I would not want my husband to pass away and then the town cut my water off just because I was too upset (to pay).”
Finance Director Sonya Webster said that it was the July, August and September bills that the town had not collected from the three water customers in question.
“We don’t just shut you off because you’re three days late,” Webster said. “You have three months.”
In response to a question from Adams, Webster said the town had disconnected 43 customers for delinquent water bills.
“It’s not fair to those 43 people that got their water cut off,” Adams said. “That shouldn’t have been buried outside of the regular meeting.”
However, Beasley said nothing was voted on.
Webster said the town never contacts anyone prior to disconnecting.
“You passed that two years ago,” Webster said. “We said it’s two months past due, we shut off and we make no contact. We don’t contact anyone.”
An ordinance passed by the board and approved on June 2 stated that the town’s current policy is to disconnect accounts two months delinquent, with no notice. Accounts are considered late if payment is not received by the 25th of the month, or the next business day if the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday. Prior to being reconnected, customers must pay a $55 reconnect fee and a $150 deposit, or an additional $50 if there is already a $150 deposit on the account.
Past due accounts will also be charged a $15 late fee for each month.
“It’s unfair to us poor people,” Adams said. “We struggle to pay these inflated rates.”
Board attorney M. Ellen Davis urged the board to look at its policy rather than the three individuals.
“Whatever you voted on, you need to do,” Davis said. “I think you struggle with water and sewer a lot, a lot of calls to people, a lot of time taken up with staff. You came up with that policy and you voted as one – whether everyone was in agreement – but if you’re going to change, I think you need to look at your policy.”
The town will revisit the ordinance at a later date. However, it will still contact the three individuals to collect the delinquent funds.
“I’ll contact both of them myself and that will handle that problem,” Johnson said. “Then we’ll redo the ordinance and I’ll tell them that if they don’t have the total amount in, I’ll give them an hour after our meeting to get it in here.”