Public service committee finds property owners responsible for disputed tenant water bills; reduces one high bill by 30%

The Gardner City Public Service Committee on Thursday heard two water and sewer abatement petitions and took separate actions: it dismissed a tenant's request at 84 Pinewood Drive, finding the property owner responsible for the account, and it approved a 30% reduction of a larger high-usage charge for a resident at 42 Bearhill Road.

Dawn Ledger, who said she lives at 84 Pinewood Drive, told the committee she received a $1,683 water bill even though household occupancy had declined and she had not observed any ongoing leaks. "I got a $1,683 bill," Ledger said as she described her confusion about a sudden spike in usage.

Director Arnold and field staff told the committee they found evidence of a dripping shower and an October incident in which a toilet tank hose flooded a bathroom. The committee reviewed a printed packet showing account names and meter-read history and cited guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General about how lease terms must disclose tenant charges for utilities. The chair told Ledger that, based on the city records showing the owner on the utility account and the state guidance, "the determination I feel is that it's their responsibility" and that the property owner may file an abatement through DPW if they choose. The chair then moved to dismiss the tenant's abatement petition; the motion was seconded and approved.

In a separate case, a resident at 42 Bearhill Road described repeated high-usage notices and said a plumber found a continuously running downstairs toilet. The resident summarized the plumber's findings: "the downstairs half bath toilet was constantly running," and the plumber replaced parts and found water on the floor that the resident had not noticed.

Staff confirmed meter readings showing a spike and then a return to low usage after repairs. The chair proposed, and the committee approved, reducing the total high-usage charges by 30% and halting interest while leaving the outstanding balance the responsibility of the property owner. Director Arnold explained the committee's practice: "Once you apply for a rebate in, we freeze the interest." The motion to reduce charges was seconded and carried.

Committee members urged tenants and property owners to document communications, plumbing work and meter readings when seeking abatements. The chair advised residents to save meter-reading cards, take dated photos of the meter reading and provide copies of any plumber invoices or text communications when re-filing or supporting an abatement claim.

The committee directed staff to provide the dates that account ownership changed on utility records and indicated that property owners who wish to pursue abatement should refile with supporting documentation through DPW.