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Bethel commissioners withhold payment on $1.2M Danbury bill pending backup
Summary
Bethel commissioners said they will not pay a roughly $1.2 million invoice from neighboring Danbury without additional documentation and multi‑year supporting data, noting the charge relates to Bethel’s ~16–17% allocation of a Danbury plant expansion. The commission also noted the town has set aside PFAS settlement funds for future treatment needs.
The Bethel Public Utilities Commission voted to approve routine minutes and invoices on Jan. 8, but members paused payment on a disputed invoice from Danbury, saying they need more documentation before releasing roughly $1.2 million.
Commission member (speaker S1) said the town will not pay the amount without ‘‘better backup’’ from Danbury and emphasized the commission has asked for multi‑year detail to explain why the allocation rose above historical levels. ‘‘We’re not paying them $1,200,000 without better backup,’’ the commission member said.
Staff told the commission that Danbury has provided about one year of estimates and that changes in Danbury’s contracts and flow figures affected Bethel’s percentage allocation. Staff (S6) said Bethel’s allocation is based on a 2‑million‑gallon share of a roughly 12.2 million‑gallon plant, which equates to about 16–17% of capacity; until Danbury provides a clearer multi‑year true‑up or line‑item backup, Bethel will hold payment.
Why it matters: the amount in dispute relates to long‑term capital and operations for a regional plant expansion, and the commission said the town has existing sewer debt and reserves to manage. Several commissioners stressed that they would pay if Danbury produced adequate documentation; staff said the board has already authorized payment contingent on satisfactory backup.
What staff said: staff outlined next steps to pursue the documentation and suggested the chair can contact the Danbury mayor’s office to press for records. The commission also discussed using existing sewer assessment funds and noted that some assessment money has been collected in advance and could be applied when justified.
What’s next: staff will continue to request backup from Danbury and report at a future meeting; commissioners said they may escalate if Danbury pursues collection without supplying records.
The commission approved other business at the meeting, including invoice payments unrelated to the Danbury dispute and authorization of contracts for capacity studies.
