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Owner warns East Canton laundromat may close over proposed sewer charge; council seeks usage data
Summary
Council members heard that the reopened laundromat may face a sewer charge the owner says would be unaffordable; staff will supply historical water-usage data and attend a meeting with the sewer authority to seek clarification.
Council members discussed a complaint about sewer charges that a laundromat owner says could force the business to close.
A council member reported speaking with the laundromat operator and said the owner was told by the sewer authority that charges would be assessed at $100 per washer per billing cycle. The owner warned: "If they hit me with that high of a bill, I'm closing this laundromat because I can't afford it." The owner and an employee named Zaida were cited as expressing concern to council staff.
Council staff said they would obtain the laundromat’s historical water-use and billing data and provide it to the owner and to the sewer authority before a scheduled meeting so the parties can reconcile usage and the proposed charge method. The council member also noted apparent inconsistencies in how the charge is being applied: meeting discussion alternately referenced $100 per washer per billing cycle and $50 per month when staff reviewed billing details in the meeting.
Council members said they want to support the business and asked to be present for the meeting with the sewer authority and the owner. Staff agreed to pull meter and billing data to determine actual usage and how the sewer charge was calculated.
No formal council action was taken; the matter was referred to staff for data collection and for participation in the owner’s meeting with the sewer authority.
