Brocton approves charging property owners for unpaid electric
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BROCTON -- The Village Board held a public hearing at its latest regular meeting to discuss a local law to hold property owners responsible for unpaid electric bills. Nearly every seat in the Village Hall was filled and more than 10 minutes of discussion was held before the local law was eventually approved.
The Village sought a solution to a persistent problem, in which residents would rack up a high balance of unpaid electric bills, then move away. In those instances, the Village was responsible for the balance.
"As a village, we can't keep eating this cost," Mayor Craig Miller said.
Electricity can be shut off after unpaid bills spanning three billing cycles, excluding the winter. The Village receives an electricity allotment from the New York Power Authority.
Under the proposed local law, any unpaid electric bills would fall on the property owner - rather than the entire village - in the form of a lien against the property. Homeowners that are renting properties in the village would be even more responsible for the tenants they rent to.
"It's up to the landowner to take more responsibility to make sure that the bills are paid," Miller said.
Dave Hazelton, a former Brocton Mayor, suggested a simple solution for homeowners who rent properties: require a higher security deposit.
The local law will not retroactively issue liens on properties with unpaid electric bills. The change will apply to any future properties.
In other Village business, the Board authorized Village Clerk Scott Jagoda to attend fall training school for city and village officials in Saratoga Springs from Sept. 14-18. The Village will cover the cost of registration, lodging, meals, and mileage reimbursement. Water/Sewer employees Rich Lewis and Aaron Willebrandt were also approved to attend a water/sewer training session held at Sunset Bay Beach Club on Aug. 18.
The next Brocton Village Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.