My water and sewer bill arrived in the mail today for my beach house. 2 stubs with due date of 6-1-08 and 10-1-08. My water and sewer where cut and capped at the curb for most of ’08 per local ordinance to allow my house to be lifted and foundation be built. Included with the bill is a note, if I pay in a timely manner, no interest will be charged.
There are no meters in the town, you pay a fixed amount, 560 per year, regardless of how much water you use.
So I call, and explain my situation, and was told there is no wording in the ordinance to allow a prorated bill. They have had this situation many times before.
I’m planning to seek an ordinance change to allow prorating in this circumstance. Probably won’t help me, my case being before the change. On a gut level I believe this is just wrong.
Thanks for listening, I look forward to your comments/advice.
Kevin
Replies
Small towns are funny that way. I just sold a house I had up state. I paid $35 /mon for water and never got a drop.
The city had recently installed city sewers and that was the per house charge. I couldnt even get hooked up till I got rid of my septic and hooked up to the city sewer.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
just pay the bill, it be alot cheaper
I will be paying the bill, and there won't be any cost with what I intend to do.
Flip side is if a resident fills their olympic sized pool do they get the water for the same price?
guess so, I put sod in and plan to put a sprinkler system in, so the fixed fee will work for me down the road. still don't like being charged for something I didn't use. The 2 ordinances are in direct opposition to one another, catch 22 scenario.
Nice pretty water fountain that uses the water main & drains into the ground would look pretty nice & there is no additional water use charge.
Hey, I was thinking of you the other day. Stiill enjoying that Christmas present from a few years back. Really handy when bathing the kids, Merry Christmas.
I hate to be the city's advocate, but didn't you understand this when you capped off the water? Conversely, and as another poster mentioned, you could have filled an olympic size swimming pool.
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No I did not understand this. Water was cut the end of 06. no water until 08. So I was not billed for 07 at all. Got the co in Sept 08 and I am billed for the year. They shoul have a prorate of some kind, even a half year minimum payment to allow some relief for this situation.
Just so you understand my gripe:
One ordinance states water and sewer must be cut and capped to lift a house. The other ordinance says you pay for the water/sewer regardless of the first one.
Reminds me of the Work comp I had to carry by state law when first in practice. 1987, 300 bucks per year. I am my only employee, no secretary, just starting out. I have to have the insurance but if I were to get hurt on the job, I, as the owner could not file a cliam on that policy.
Ah, now I get it.
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Same here on the work comp deal..what a PITA..pay it and next year get an audit, then get 85% of it back, after you pay it for next year.
Just me, no subs, no emp..and if I get hurt, I'm not covered ( unless I pay about 2x the rate to cover me)..I wish I could run a racket like that. Legally.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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These are the reasons jobs go over seas. Imagine what manufacturers have to put up with. Plenty of good laws protecting the worker, but the idiotic ones should go.
I have to pay for solid waste disposal (trash service) on any house that I have under construction that has a water meter - which is every house. Obviously they don't take construction debris. If I wanted to flog myself some I'd fight it... ;-)
Spoke with my brother yesterday, he's selling a lake lot, land no house. Gets water and sewer bill as well. Crazy revenue generating BS if you ask me.