Henry Raymond
Fairfax News => Political Issues/Comments => Topic started by: Chris Santee on April 04, 2011, 02:33:30 PM
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Should the Fairfax Selectboard add a $25 late fee to delinquent water accounts ?
This question is just from me, not the Board.
Official Board news will come from Stacy Wells.
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i guess it depends on how late would be my answer
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two months.
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yep
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Hey Ed-Are you on the Fairfax Water System? I thought you lived in Fletcher. I don't think the water lines go that far.
If you aren't on the system, why are you chiming in on this subject? It has nothing to do with you.
Should be a poll for people who are ON the Fairfax Water System.
I don't throw my weight around telling Fletcher what to do.
Usually, if you miss a payment, you get a letter saying your water will be turned off. They don't do that anymore? Doesn't matter to me, I always pay on time.
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my rental property is
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Well I don't live in town, but pay taxes to the town..... I would say deliquent payments of 60 days seems fair to me. Chris is this becoming more of an issue to ask the question?
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Seems fair to me!! 60 days is pretty late.
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The latest Selectboard Minutes make some mention of this problem
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I way outside of the water district, but I'm just curious- what's the average water/sewer bill?
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It has become an issue with about 60 delinquent accounts per billing period.
Really rough number for average water bill is just under $150 (remember there are a lot of variables, it is by usage).
We decided a $25 late fee on accounts 30 days past due was not unreasonable. Watch for a Public Meeting Warning on this.
Please check the official minutes to verify.
and PLEASE understand,
posts from Chris Santee are from Chris Santee and posts from Stacy Wells are official posts from the Fairfax Selectboard.
When I ask a question here, it because I want to hear from you on issues. You can also call me at 782-0406.
You can also e-mail me at csantee@myfairpoint.net. You can also send me a letter by U.S. Postal Service at:
PO Box 86, Fairfax, VT 05454 or say what's on your mind when you see me at games, or in the stores.
I appreciate everyone's input as I try to do the best job possible representing YOU !
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Under $150??!! Not sure how many people in the house that is based on, but I wish my bill was that low!! Oh well, in answer to your question, from someone that has been a water user for 29+ yrs in Fairfax, & who has paid her bill on time, YES!!! the late fee is reasonable, but good luck getting it, especially if the people aren't paying to begin with! I remember back a few years, there was some not paying & the town went to court to have it enforced, & it still was not paid!! And, you can't shut the water/sewer off if there are kids & other reasons, & unfortunately, some know how to use/abuse the system.
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Is that per month?! I have never had to pay a water bill. $150/month on top of our other utilities? I don't think we could afford to live in the village. What are the sewer bills like.
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That's quarterly (every three months) and it's based on gallons of usage, not people.
(I wish mine were $150 also).
That's the total = water/sewer combined (and it's rough).
Tomorrow, I will try to get some info on the Bond's status.
The water users have made an investment in their properties.
And while we have this water thread going on,
I'd like to thank Randy DeVine and Paul Langelier,
the heart and soul of the Fairfax Water Department,
these guys climb down holes, in the rain,
and help provide fresh drinking water for my family everyday.
If only I could "blink" some over to the folks in Japan.
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Thanks Chris. I didn't mean to stir up anything, I just really didn't have any idea how much people pay! Wow, glad I have my own well too! :)
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i wish I had village water / sewer.
Putting in your own with the current state designs can run $10,000 to $20,000 just for sewer and you are the one that has to take care of any issues. $600 a year and I can call someone else with any issues !!! Sounds like a good deal
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I was just figuring out how much I paid (1999) for my water (share my parents well with my house) so connecting to them and sewer (had to have a mound system and pump station for sewer) it looks like I paid about $14,000-$15,000.
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I don't pay water/sewer fees either having never lived in an area where I needed to, but if some one is late in paying in the first place, as someone pointed out, chances are assessing a penalty doesn't help the situation any, it just makes everyone else feel better. It's like kids arguing and saying, so there! It really means nothing. If the offenders don't have the original payment are they going to worry about a late fee? I'm not saying it's right, I'm just pointing out that assessing late fees (on anything) for none payment is illogical. My theory is that (generally) people pay their bills when they have the money to do so. Not everyone falls into that category, but most people do. No money, the whole system breaks down. The town needs the usage payments to pay whatever/whoever, if it doesn't come in it creates a problem down the line...:P
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Is a flat late fee legal? Most businesses providing goods/services charge interest on accounts over 30 days. The only exception I can think of is in the finance sector (banks/CC).
I'm just curious if there are any VT laws specific to adding charges to overdue bills.
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I can not believe that this topic is up for debate! As a community we collectively elected the select board to perform day to day operations of the town. If members of the board are questioning minor policies like this, ask yourself: "Am I really qualified to be on the board?"
Bringing questions / doubt to the resolutions already passed by the select board, over a small potatoes issue like this, does not bode well for acting as a member of a team. This question should have been put up for debate in the board meeting, voted on and the outcome should stand without further debate.
I have an idea, since there is not a penalty for not paying for water and sewer service in the village, why doesn't everyone just stop paying.
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David, I think this was just a question posed by Chris, nothing official. Just the usual forum debate is all.
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Yes, cedarman, I don't have the statute number though off the top of my head.
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Would anyone here like to take a stabe at the price of "pumping" their own Septic System?
Would anyone here like to take a guess of the price of installing a Septic System? How about a Leach Field?
How about the price of a well and the pump for the well?
Anyone??????? Didn't thinki so.
If you never had to investigate these prices ... then PAY YOUR BILL and pay it On TIme! To install or maintain any of the above is MUCH more than what you are paying with or with out a lot of folks in your house. For $450 -$500/year I would prepay my Water/Sewage bill GLEEFULLY!
But then what would you complain about ...?
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Are the delinquent individuals given the opportunity to develop a payment plan? I realize that undoubtedly some folks abuse the system, but there are others who, perhaps, have fallen into tight economic straits, and a payment plan might help both them and the village.....
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$600 a year for water and sewer is fair when one thinks about the alternatives what does a mound system cost in Vt here in pa 20-40k with a life +or minus of 10-20 yrs and the cost of pumps and whatever and least not forget the systems fail when the ground is snow covered and its cold down here some townships require a plumbing certification for selling a house with septic systems along with well water certification. the bad news is that if you do not have all of this , it will be coming thanks to the EPA
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If The Town of Fairfax is looking for suggestions on this topic, here is mine ....
All new applications for Water should include a $100.00 refundable deposit at time of disconnection. This would give the Water Dept a working surplus and protect The Town a little bit on those whom feel entitled to dump on the rest of us should they not pay they loose their $100 deposit.
However, The Town of Fairfax would never do this because it would be an UNPOPULAR move.
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Water/sewer is a service. Like all services, it CAN be discontinued by the provider for non-payment.
Is there a legal requirement for how much notice is required for deliquent service users before being able to disconnect? For example, renters must be given a 30 day written notice of eviction for not payment of rent.
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TO BAD IT TAKES A WHOLE lot longer to evict someone then 30 days
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Rev Liz,
Anyone who finds themselves behind in the water payment,
may call Amy at 849-6111 and set up a payment plan.
They will not be charged a late fee, as long as they keep up with the payments.
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Gee ....
Don't suppose that is the reason why so many DON'T pay their Water Bills .... The Town of Fairfax makes it so easy NOT to pay it! It is a bill, darn it pay up or move out and someone in charge better take the stand and tell these folks just that!
If they don't pay their TAXES, there are Late fee's then there are Attorney FEE's and then your home is sold! Is The Town of Fairfax going to set up a payment plan for TAXES without fee's too?
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I saw your question, cedarman, and will try to get you an answer tomorrow.