Capac residents complain about shut-off

Disabled man has service shut-off for non-payment

 

CAPAC — The dead of winter is not a good time to have your water service shut off. Not for the community’s DPW workers, nor for the residential or commercial customer that is impacted by such action.

However, after a series of events in recent weeks, that is exactly what happened to a few residential customers in the Village of Capac.

Residents have complained city hall offices were closed over the recent Christmas and New Years holidays and for those who make payments in person, that was not a possibility.

Others have their payments deducted automatically, every quarter.

One resident said, “I just want everyone to know that I never received the original bill in the mail. I really don’t keep track of when my quarterly water bill is due. The majority of my bills are taken out automatically, and I don’t have to worry about it.”

He went on to say, “I have never missed paying my bill in my life and have an 815 credit score. I didn’t check my mail for almost a week and when I checked it, there was a shut off notice. I went inside and my water was already off, but it was after 4 o’clock and the offices were closed (for the week).”

The resident said his concern with the issue is, “I don’t expect special treatment because I’m disabled, but I think the village of this size could use a little humanity. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t at least knock on the door and give people the opportunity to pay it because you never know what the situation is. It seems like it would’ve been easier to do that than to dig my shut off out of the snow and turn off my water.”

Village officials say they are 100 percent positive all of the bills go out via the U.S. mail. If there is a problem, residents have been advised to check with the post office.

Capac water bills are due quarterly, with a due date on the 16th of each quarterly month. The Village has always been willing to work with their 692 customers on the village water system, according to Village Manager Travis Youatt.

“We offer various ways to pay your bill, including credit card, cash, check, ACH, drop box, over the phone, or in person (including night hours). We not only mail bills via the U.S. post office, but also offer email billing, and users can view/pay their bills 24/7 online. We also offer payment plans that frequently require no down payment, no interest, and can be extended up to 6 months with manager approval.”

Almont Village Manager Dale Kerbyson said village residents do face shut off, no matter what time of year it may be.

“Yes, we have our shut offs on GIS so we can find them under the snow. There is a fee both off and on which covers the cost of sending employees over to that property vs. spreading the cost of the equipment and the staff to do the work onto the entire water using community” he said.

“I am sure that every community’s ordinance states in some way that it is “illegal” to give water away. One item I mention when talking with people about the Village of Almont is that the village does not own the water, we pass through the cost of the water delivered by GLWA (Great Lakes Water Authority).”

In Imlay City, Clerk/Treasurer Dawn Sawicki-Franz said, “The City Utility Biller reaches out and if the customer is working with us and explaining their specific issues we do everything we can to NOT shut utilities off. Utility shut off is not good for the resident or the city.”

She went on to add, “the city does not have a policy to NOT shut customer’s water off during the winter time. However, the city does do everything possible to avoid that consequence.”

According to the Village of Capac ordinance regarding water bills and shut-offs, the following are highlights from the village ordinance.

(1) Meter reading. Meters shall be read quarterly and annually as deemed necessary.

(2) Bills. The village shall render bills for water service and all other charges in connection therewith quarterly. Bills for water service shall be sent to consumers by first class mail, quarterly. Quarterly water bills for users of the system shall be based on metered water consumption as set forth in the rate resolution.

(3) Due date of charges. All bills shall be payable by the due date specified on the bills and shall be paid at the office of the village in person or by mail.

(4) Collections. The village treasurer shall collect all moneys due for water service and all other charges in connection with the water system.

(5) Late charges. If any charge for the services of the water which has been billed to a customer of the water system shall not be paid on or before the due date specified on the bill, a delayed payment charge of ten percent of the amount of the bill shall be added thereto and collected therewith.

(6) Unpaid bills. If any bills for the service of the water system shall remain unpaid after 30 days following the due date specified on the bill therefor, the water supply for the lot, parcel of land or premises affected may be cut off and, if cut off, shall not be turned on again except on payment in full of the delinquent charges therefor, and the fee charged for resumption of service. The village shall send a notice to its customers of intent to terminate service. If payment is not received, or satisfactory arrangements have not been made within ten days after the shutoff notice is sent to the consumer, the water service shall be shut off. No water service that has been discontinued because of nonpayment shall be restored until all past due bills are paid or satisfactory arrangements for such payment are made.

(7) Nonreceipt of bill. Failure of the consumer to receive any bill shall not relieve him of the liability for the charges incurred, and the consumer shall notify the village clerk if a bill has not been received by the 15th day of the end of a billing period.

(8) Charges to become a lien upon premises. The village shall have as security for the collection of water supply rates, assessments or charges due or to become due for the use and installation, repair or maintenance to any house, building or premises, a lien upon the building or premises or lots upon which the water system service was supplied. This lien shall become effective immediately upon providing the water system service to the premises or property supplied.

Youatt said the vast majority of village residents have no issue with paying their water bills or making arrangements.

Around 20 to 30 Capac customers consistently find themselves on the shut-off list, according to village records.

There are a few businesses in the village that have boiler heat water systems and village officials confirmed they work with those individuals, if off water to the boilers during the winter months.