Sullivan sanitary board refuses resident request to suspend unpaid sewer fees

The Town of Sullivan Sanitary District No. 1 declined a resident's request to suspend unpaid sewer charges dating back to December 2024, according to the district's April 13, 2026 meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The district told resident Tom Geiger in writing that the only way billing can stop is for the service to be capped by a licensed plumber; the minutes note that, if reopened, the connection would be subject to a $2,000 hookup fee. The decision affects residents with inactive service who seek retroactive relief from charges.

At the meeting, Clerk Dawn Bauer reported she had sent Geiger a letter about an outstanding sewer account; the minutes record that Geiger responded by saying his residence had been vacant and asking that fees be suspended back to when the plumbing was rendered inactive in December 2024. "That was not going to happen," the minutes state, and the commissioners reiterated that capping the service is the district's required process to stop billing. Bauer said she would send a reply explaining the board's position.

The minutes do not record which individual commissioner spoke to deny the request; they refer collectively to "the Commissioners." The record also contains an internal inconsistency in attendance and vote tallies (see meeting record), which the district may wish to clarify in the official minutes if an exact roll-call vote is needed for the record.

What remains: The district's stance, as recorded, is that account suspension without a physical capping is not permitted and that reopening a capped line carries a $2,000 fee. The minutes say Clerk Bauer will send a response to Geiger explaining the board's position; no formal appeal or further action was recorded at this meeting.

Ending: The board took no further action on the account at the April meeting; the clerk will follow up with a written response to the resident.