ASHLAND - Delinquent water customers of the Ashland Area Municipal Authority could find their service shut off if they don't get their accounts in order.
Delinquencies were briefly discussed during Monday's authority meeting, a followup of the February meeting when it was decided to send the water shut off notices, which occurred on Feb. 27. The one-page notices said, "This letter is to serve as notice for termination of water and sewer service if the balance in your account is not paid in full on or before Apr.il 2, 2013."
The letter had the total past due on water, sewer and trash service and stated that past due notices had been sent in the past. Many customers who are delinquent on their water bills are also behind on those other services because the borough sends out a combined billing statement quarterly.
The termination notices also states that when service is terminated and the customer decides to pay the delinquent amount and asks for water service to resume, there will be an additional charge of $40 to restart the service. Late fees and attorney fees are also included on the delinquent accounts.
Borough Manager Ray Jones Jr. said there are 25 accounts that have attorney fees attached.
"There were 147 customers who got 30-day shut-off notices," Jones said. "The notices went out to those who are delinquent for two quarters or more."
The borough will begin terminating water service on April 9.
"Some people have come in and made arrangements. Others have made no attempt," Jones said. While the authority and borough prefer that the delinquencies be brought up to date at one time, arrangements can be made to have the account made current over time as long as the current bill is paid on time.
"We do have problems with tenant-landlord relationships," Jones said, explaining that some tenants pay their rent that also includes their water service, but the landlords do not pay the water bill to the borough.
"It's a constant battle between landlord and tenant, and I don't know how to fix that," Jones said. "They're eventually going to get shut off. This is the rule."
Authority solicitor S. John Price looked over the delinquent list during the meeting, explaining that the water account delinquencies total about $136,000, but noted that about $30,000 of the total is attributed to the former Saint Catherine Medical Center, which declared bankruptcy last year.
Delinquent customers can visit the borough office at 401 S. 18th St. to discuss their accounts or call 570-875-2411.