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Residents press commissioners on disputed town water debt; officials offer to review records and pursue funding outreach
Summary
Public commenters and a mayor urged the county to avoid litigation over a disputed town water bill, questioned historic grant accounting and asked the commission to pursue state and federal funding; commissioners and staff offered to review billing records and seek intergovernmental assistance.
Public commenters used the meeting's public-comment period to urge the Allegany County commissioners to address a long-running dispute over water bills owed by a town to the county.
A mayor and other residents raised figures they said reflected the town's indebtedness (speaker referenced amounts including $400,000 and a $500,000 Board of Public Works award in 1998). The speaker said the town had not been billed consistently and expressed concern that county officials had publicly cited figures without adequate documentation.
Commissioners and staff responded that the matter stretches back several years, noted drought-era projects and loan activity, and offered to arrange an in-person review of billing and payment records with town officials and county administrators to work on a repayment plan. County staff also said they have been in contact with state and federal legislative offices to explore funding sources and that the county will file a request asking the Public Service Commission to reconsider certain siting or rate decisions in related matters.
Speakers asked the board to consider drafting a letter to federal and state legislators to convene an intergovernmental conversation about funding; commissioners said they would consider placing such a request on a future agenda and continue outreach.
