Sullivan sanitary commissioners decline refund request for vacant property charges

At its May 11 meeting, the Town of Sullivan Sanitary District No. 1 commissioners agreed not to refund past sewer charges sought by property owner Tom Geiger for a vacant property at N3869 Jefferson Street, saying the district ordinance precludes compensation.

The commissioners discussed a letter sent to Clerk Dawn Bauer from Tom Geiger requesting reimbursement of sewer amounts paid through property taxes while the parcel was vacant. The board’s minutes state that “the commissioners all agreed that he should not be compensated as the Ordinance is very clear.” The commissioners directed that the item be placed on the June agenda for further consideration when Clerk Bauer is present.

The meeting record shows routine business proceeded first: the board approved the April meeting minutes on a motion by Commissioner Ron Auerbach, seconded by Commissioner John Szivecz (motion carried 3-0), and approved the financial report and payment of bills on a motion by Auerbach, seconded by Szivecz (motion carried 3-0). The minutes note the operator, Mike, was not present to deliver an operator report.

No specific ordinance number or the refund amount was recorded in the minutes; the transcript indicates only that the ordinance’s language was cited as the reason to deny compensation. The clerk’s absence from the meeting was noted; the board said it would revisit the refund request at the June 8, 2026 meeting when the clerk is available to provide records and clarification.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Goeglein at 5:10 p.m., and adjourned at 5:27 p.m. after a motion by Goeglein and a second by Szivecz that carried 3-0.

Next steps: the refund request will appear on the June agenda for further discussion and any formal action when the clerk can present the relevant financial records.