Resident asks Hillsborough commissioners to waive $189 high bill; waiver denied

Sandra Moulton, a resident of 56 Bible Hill Road, asked the Town of Hillsborough Water & Sewer Commission on Jan. 27 to waive a $189.11 overage on a November 2025 water bill and said she believes the unusually high reading was an error. Moulton presented a letter from property owner Kayla Kokal authorizing her to speak on Kokal’s behalf.

Administrator Penny Griffin and Operator Alex Mellen had investigated after the November bill. According to meeting minutes, Mellen visited the property and took a new meter reading that returned usage to the household’s historical range. Griffin had suggested looking for leaks and offered to send an operator to the home; Mellen conducted that visit.

Commissioner Dana Clow told Moulton the Commission had offered a third‑party meter test but that Moulton had declined because she understood she would be charged a $300 test fee if the meter tested within allowable limits. Commissioners said that because the property owner elected not to pursue the test, the Commission must assume the recorded usage passed through the meter and therefore the owner is liable for the billed amount.

Moulton expressed disappointment at the decision and requested an extension to pay the balance. Griffin explained that on Feb. 1 unpaid balances are transferred to the Tax Collector via a lien warrant process; the Tax Collector will mail notices before initiating lien action, giving account holders time to pay.

Next steps: the minutes record no further administrative action by the Commission on this account during the meeting; unpaid balances will be transferred to the Tax Collector on Feb. 1 unless paid beforehand.