Glens Falls Water and Sewer Board approves limited billing relief, tables larger cases for full board
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Summary
The board reviewed multiple high-bill appeals on Dec. 1, approving one-time relief for a 9-unit property and for 39 Prospect Street, while tabling larger relief requests (including 52 LaRose and 348 Lehi/Chapman) pending full-board review and additional documentation.
The Glens Falls City Water and Sewer Board on Dec. 1 considered several high-bill appeals and approved limited one-time relief for two accounts while deferring larger or under-documented requests for the full board.
Board members heard staff and residents explain abrupt spikes in quarterly consumption. At 348 Lehi Street (Chapman), a resident traced a surprise holiday bill to an irrigation timer set incorrectly after a handyman’s work; staff advised the board this pattern shows on meter graphs as a temporary spike. "Not a very nice bill to get for the holidays, does it?" said Speaker 1 during discussion of that account.
The board approved relief for a nine-unit account after staff identified a continuously running toilet in a single unit; repairs brought usage back to normal. Speaker 2 moved to approve the payment arrangement for that account and the motion carried.
At 39 Prospect Street, staff reported an on-site inspection showing a downstairs sink and a toilet that had been repaired; consumption returned to normal and the board approved a one-time credit for the $338.39 overage.
For 52 LaRose (a rental building) staff presented meter-graph evidence showing short periods of very high daily usage—one reading rose above 500 gallons per day—later traced to a tenant’s running toilet. Staff calculated an average-based difference of about $2,216.40. The chair moved to relieve half that difference ($1,108.20), but members raised a quorum/unanimity concern for relief given only three members were present; the board agreed to table that relief and several other larger or under-documented accounts (including 348 Lehi and 112 Crandall) for full-board consideration at the next meeting.
Staff said they will create a spreadsheet to track past relief decisions so future determinations are consistent. Speaker 6 noted the department will continue to send meter technicians to investigate suspected leaks immediately when called by residents.
Votes at a glance
- 9-unit account: motion to approve payment/relief (motion carried). - 39 Prospect Street: one-time relief of $338.39 approved (motion carried). - 112 Crandall Street: consideration tabled for additional review (motion carried to table). - 52 LaRose: motion to relieve $1,108.20 (half the calculated difference) was made but ultimately tabled for full-board review. - 348 Lehi (Chapman): review deferred to next packet due to missing backup documentation.
The board directed staff to assemble full documentation for the tabled accounts and to present a running log of prior relief decisions at the next meeting.
