Borough billing specialist explains proration of sewer and refuse final bills; council hears delinquent accounts update

Stacy Ayl, Palmyra borough utility billing specialist, told the Borough Council on April 8 that final sewer and refuse bills for real-estate settlements are prorated from the property settlement date to the end of the quarter.

Ayl said that when a settlement company or closing agent notifies the borough of a property transfer, she calculates an escrow amount, notifies the settlement company, and issues the final bill after settlement; any escrow remainder is returned to the previous owner. "We do not charge them when they're not owning the property. It only goes from their settlement date till the end of that quarter," Ayl said.

The council heard that the borough does charge new buyers from the settlement date even if they do not move in right away, because the borough cannot determine whether the property is being remodeled or otherwise occupied. Council members thanked Ayl for appearing and for handling multiple final-bill settlements each week as the sales season approaches.

Separately, council members noted the monthly delinquent sewer and refuse report in their meeting packet and said the overall balance on that report has been dropping. Council members said staff are pursuing accounts approved previously for solicitor action; the borough attorney was sent seven properties for collection earlier this week. No new policy changes to billing or proration were proposed during the meeting.

The council did not take formal vote on billing policy at the meeting; Ayl’s explanation was provided for resident and council clarification.