Trustees decline to waive $75 red-tag water fee for 908 Willow

The Village of Sleepy Hollow Board of Trustees considered a request to waive a $75 red-tag fee charged to a resident at 908 Willow and voted against granting the waiver.

A trustee introduced the resident's request and said the resident reported not receiving the customary courtesy warning letter that had been provided in the past by staff who now work remotely. Board discussion focused on whether the village's prior informal practice of sending courtesy warning letters created a legal expectation and whether waiving the fee would set a precedent for future claims.

Several trustees noted the resident has a long history of late payments and multiple previous red-tag incidents (board discussion referenced roughly 14–15 past red-tag situations). Those opposing the waiver argued the municipality had notice provisions on its bills and that residents are responsible for payment even if a courtesy letter was not delivered.

Supporters of the one-time waiver said the missing courtesy letter was the motivating factor in the current dispute and argued a single waiver, accompanied by a notice that waivers will not be granted in the future, would be fair. Opponents said the board should not create an exception that could be used to avoid future payments.

After debate, the motion to waive the $75 fee failed on a roll call vote. The board directed staff to send the resident a letter informing them of the board's decision and that future courtesy letters will not be promised as a matter of policy.

The transcript records the resident's claim (via trustee emails) that they did not receive a courtesy notice; trustees characterized the claim, discussed the resident's prior payment history, and ultimately did not accept the waiver request.