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Council denies resident's request to forgive sewer charge for pool fill; staff point to area maintenance meter program and precedent concerns
Summary
Hannah Dawson asked council to forgive the sewer portion of a water bill for filling a pool; council denied the request, citing an existing program for area maintenance meters and concern about creating a precedent.
The Utica City Council on Tuesday denied a resident's request to forgive the sewer portion of a May water bill incurred when she filled a pool.
Hannah Dawson of 45410 Baker Avenue explained she had filled a pool and asked the council to forgive the sewer charge because the water was not discharged to the sanitary sewer system. She said she had tried to contact city staff in advance but could not reach anyone before the pool was filled.
Staff and council members responded that the city offers an "area maintenance meter" program that separates outdoor fill from sewer billing and that historically the council has not approved forgiveness for these types of charges absent a verified leak or other documented exception. Staff noted the department would make exceptions only after verification by DPW that water did not enter the sanitary system (for example, verified discharge to a storm sewer), and warned that granting forgiveness could create a precedent for many similar requests.
During the discussion the resident and council exchanged questions about where the water would go when the pool is later drained. The resident emphasized attempts to reach staff; staff said the program exists to prevent precisely this situation and that callers should be persistent to secure an area maintenance meter before filling.
The total bill figure given in the record was $258.67 and the sewer portion was stated on the record as $141.72 (figures as presented by staff and the resident). Councilmember Torenzi moved to deny the forgiveness request; Weaver seconded. The roll call vote to deny the request was unanimous; the motion carried.
Dawson was told staff would explain the area maintenance meter option for future pool fills. The council recorded the vote denying forgiveness in the meeting minutes.
