Pay your water bill where?

Those Newark residents who are still trying to pay their water and sewer bills at the Municipal Building are in luck. As of October 15, the billing function will be relocated to the Village Offices.

This change is a result of a taskforce recently set up to study ways to better serve water customers. The taskforce, assigned by Municipal Board Chairman James SanAngelo consisted of members of the municipal board as well as Peter Blandino and Norm VandeMortal of the Newark Village Board.

SanAngelo praised Harris Consulting for the job that they have done in computerizing billing records and straightening out the many inacurate meter readings. "The software and hardware is in place from Harris. This will make it possible for us to forecast and do other tasks that (weren't possible) before."

Harris Consulting took over billing in 1996. Owner Russ Harris not only computerized the entire system, but identified many areas needing improvement. Harris, in a report to the Municipal Board, identified many of the problems early on. According to Harris, meters were not being read regularly, or incorrectly. Multi-dwellings were a problem, with misunderstanding that the landlord was utimately responsible for the bill.

Harris added that most estimated bills had been under-read, creating large one-time bills that took over 18 months to deal with.

Meter Problems: According to Harris's report, meters were a large part of the total picture. When meters were scheduled for replacement, many callbacks were necessary due to the wrong tops on bases, and/or repairs done without the work being checked. Stopped or slow meters: Meters were found to be stopped or slow for many reasons. Harris indicated that there has not been a meter replacement program in Newark for the past 16 years.

Harris's report also mentions trailer parks and their uniqueness. There are considerably more meter problems in trailer parks. Most of the meters installed under trailers are above ground but not easy to access. According to Harris, all of the meters in Joe Alloco's parks are installed improperly.

Meter rent: Harris said that the proper amount was not being charged. New rates were calculated by him and the system was updated so that each meter would be replaced every ten years. Harris added that the meter problems were a major customer service issue and as problems related to individual accounts began to surface, the condition of the meters became evident. Harris admits that he made mistakes in attempting to improve the system.

Harris warns that the worst is yet to come. "When they start replacing a lot of meters... we will have a lot of upset customers who will not understand (or stand for) the high consumption (readings) of their new meters.

At a special village board meeting last Friday, it was moved by Trustee VandeMortal and seconded by Trustee Blandino that the village begin the process to bring the Water/Sewer billing back in 'in house.'

An Account Clerk position will receive water bills at a window on the third foor of the village municipal building. This clerk will be responsible for all clerical duties related to the billing function.

Wilfred Lajoie of the water department will be assigned to the function of water meter reading and replacement and other maintenance duties relative to water meters.

Supervision of the Water/sewer billing function will be the sole responsibility of the Water and Sewer manager and the Municipal Board. The existing village office personel, under the direction of village clerk Michael Tonovitz will only collect bills in the absence of the billing clerk.

top of page

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