Glens Falls Water and Sewer Board weighs relief for several high-usage bills; some cases approved, larger relief tabled
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Summary
The Water and Sewer Board reviewed multiple high-usage residential and multi-unit accounts Dec. 1, approving modest adjustments for several accounts while tabling a larger proposed relief of $1,108.20 pending fuller review and quorum. Staff said many spikes were tied to running toilets or sprinkler timer errors.
The Glens Falls City Water and Sewer Board reviewed multiple customer billing disputes on Dec. 1, approving modest adjustments for several accounts while tabling a larger relief request for further review.
Unidentified Speaker S1 opened the billing discussion and called the first case, 348 Lehi Street (Chapman). Unidentified Speaker S3 told the board staff had obtained a usage graph from Adam showing a clear period of elevated consumption that began when a handyman reprogrammed an irrigation timer; S3 said the sprinklers were running on an automatic schedule that was “not so intuitive,” and usage returned to normal after the system was shut down. S6 confirmed staff’s practice of offering one-time relief in similar cases and advised homeowners to check sprinkler settings before next season.
The board heard separate accounts: 112 Crandall Street (a recent buyer) with a quarter bill of $577.64 versus an average of about $369 (difference $208.64); 39 Prospect Street, where S6 found multiple leaks and a billed quarter of $557.44 versus a typical $219.05 (recorded potential credit $330.39); a nine-unit building with a quarter bill of $1,719.74 where staff identified a continuously running toilet that, once repaired, returned consumption to typical levels (board cited a difference figure of $1,493.31); and 52 LaRose, a multi-unit property with a short, sharp spike above 500 gallons per day that staff said resolved after a tenant repaired a running toilet.
For smaller or clear mechanical problems, the board approved relief or payment arrangements. A motion to approve relief or payment for the nine-unit account passed. A separate motion to approve the credit for 39 Prospect also passed. For 112 Crandall, the board moved to table action and voted to table that account to the next meeting to allow more review.
When the board considered a proposed relief of $1,108.20 (in the LaRose matter), S2 moved and S1 seconded the motion to relieve that amount, but S3 noted a procedural issue: with only three members present certain votes require unanimity. After brief discussion the board agreed to table the relief decision to the next meeting so the full board can review the documentation; the motion to table carried.
S6 said staff will begin a spreadsheet, with Mary Beth Kennelly, to track past relief decisions and create a consistent record of who has received relief and under what conditions. Board members discussed a possible standard notice reminding customers to keep property taxes current and explaining that relief is a one-time accommodation in many cases.
The board did not approve full forgiveness for larger sums without further backup; several members suggested alternatives such as pro-rating credits across future quarters or requesting additional documentation before granting large adjustments. No financial transfers or credits larger than those recorded were executed at the Dec. 1 meeting.
The board’s next regular meeting was set for Jan. 5, 2022, and staff were instructed to include the deferred cases, along with supporting backup, in the next packet for further action.
Ending: The board approved the smaller adjustments and payment arrangements and tabled larger relief requests pending fuller review and a quorum at a future meeting.
