Newark board talks water
By John Zornow

When the Newark Municipal Board met this week, members talked with Clifton Springs Mayor William Hunter about Clifton's water needs and Newark's ability to supply.

The village of Clifton Springs uses about 80 million gallons per year and would like to continue to purchase their water from Newark due to the service it receives and the quality of Newark's water. Municipal Board Chairman Jim SanAngelo has stated repeatedly that Newark has water to sell and needs to do this to keep the village's water rates among the lowest in the area. Both municipalities would like a long-term commitment. All that needs to be settled is price.

SanAngelo assured the Clifton Springs Mayor that in no way will Newark sell water to outside customers for less than village residents pay. Mayor Hunter said that other sources of water were available to Clifton Springs. No decision was made at Tuesday's meeting. The board is currently talking to all outside customers.

In other business:

The board voted to approve new policies that deal with water billing. Highlights of the policy: 1. The property owner/landlord will be responsible for all water-related bills. 2. There will be a charge for final bills. 3. If a customer feels that the meter is not operating properly, there will be a charge for testing. 4. Any property with a delinquent bill will be levied annually on the June tax rolls. This will also apply to tax-exempt properties.

Russ Harris of Harris Consulting which does the billing explained changes.

• According to Municipal law, the property owners have been responsible all along. This will eliminate confusion and having the village get involved in tenant/landlord disputes.
• Final bills will only be needed when property transfers ownership.
• If a customer pays to have the meter tested and it is found to be defective, the charge will be refunded.
• Tax relevies are not a problem according to village attorney Art Williams. He explained that if the taxes/levy are not paid, it is sent to the county with a $100 charge applied. This charge along with the tax due is paid to the village by the county who then enters the matter into record. This enables the village to receive all the money that is due them including from tax-exempt entities.

The board also learned that there is a tax-exempt property that uses village services and refuses to pay.

A complete and detailed billing policy will be explained to village residents at the Shareholders Meeting on April 7.

top of page

Copyright © 1998
Courier-Gazette, 613 S. Main St. Newark, N.Y. 14513
All Rights Reserved