Cornish council to send updated shutoff notices after resident accrues $1,000 in unpaid water bills

Cornish officials reviewed the town’s delinquent account list and agreed to send an updated certified shutoff letter after repeated failed attempts to contact an account holder who owes about $1,000.

Staff (Speaker 3) presented the delinquent account list. Speaker 1 described attempts to contact an account tied to a tenant or owner (referred to as Larry) and said multiple phone numbers on file did not reach the account holder. Speaker 1 said the town had previously accepted money orders and sometimes did not issue receipts; the current outstanding balance for the household is about $1,000. “We’re up to 1,000 bucks,” Speaker 1 said.

Council members discussed standard collection options: rescinding service after a certified 10-day notice, allowing the customer to propose a payment plan, deducting payment from rent if possible, or placing a lien. They agreed to send a fresh shutoff letter with new dates because older notices had expired and mail reliability had been a concern. Speaker 1 asked staff to attempt direct contact and said staff should inform the customer before turning off service.

Council also reviewed other accounts (Lee, Kathy Ellick, Braden) where payment plans were already in place or staff had been able to resolve partial payments. The meeting record shows no motion to shut off service; rather, the council directed staff to send updated notice and work with customers on payment plans where appropriate.

Next steps: staff will send a new certified shutoff letter with updated dates, attempt phone contact, and report back if customers propose payment plans or fail to respond. The council advised staff to prioritize outreach before terminating service.