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Residents press authority over thousands in back bills; board tables relief to October
Summary
At a Middletown Water Pollution Control Authority public hearing, residents described unexpectedly large back bills after faulty or nonreporting meters; staff recommended a partial goodwill adjustment but the board voted to table final action pending a full billing history and review at the October meeting.
Residents told the Middletown Water Pollution Control Authority on Tuesday that faulty or nonreporting water meters led to sudden, large corrected bills and asked the board for relief.
At a public hearing, Susan Anderson, speaking for the Morello family, said a routine quarterly bill rose sharply after the department replaced a meter and that subsequent corrected bills — including one for about $4,200 — were based on a physical reading that staff said reached back to 2019. Anderson said the family had not received the detailed calculation or payment history she requested and said the account holders are elderly and on fixed incomes.
Director Joseph Fizzino said staff found that radio or touchpad communications on some meters were not functioning, so many readings had been estimated for several years. When meters were replaced and returned to service, staff were able to obtain an actual last-reading value; the corrected bills reflect the difference between accumulated estimates and the actual reading. Fizzino said the department is replacing failing meters, using door hangers and direct calls to reduce future estimating, and will provide a billing history to the homeowners.
The board discussed possible remedies. Staff recommended a goodwill adjustment of $1,926.52 to split the adjustment for combined sewer and water charges. Board members and the resident pressed for the full payment history and the calculation formula before approving a final adjustment.
Vice chairman (acting chair for the meeting) moved to table the matter to the October meeting and the board voted in favor; staff said they would contact the account holders and deliver the requested documentation before the next meeting.
The board did not adopt a final billing adjustment at the meeting; it asked staff to return with the calculation, payment history and any supporting documentation at the October 8 meeting.
