New Policy For Residents Who Can't Pay Utility Bills

The Lacey Municipal Utilities Authority has modified its procedures for termination of service due to non-payment.

“You will be getting written notice if for whatever reason your water is to be shut off due to non-payment.  You will have what really amounts to almost one month to pay the bill,” said Committeeman Sean Sharkey at a recent township meeting. Sharkey is the Co-Chairman to the LMUA.

Under the newly adopted resolution, adopted earlier in March, any account that has a past due balance of $100 or more is subject to termination of service due to non-payment.

Previously, homes would be put on a lien after a certain time of non-payment. More than 1,024 homes had utility liens that were included in the Lacey Township tax sale of 2012 delinquencies. Approximately 79 percent of the liens placed on homes were due to non-payment of utilities.

The new policy was decided upon by the commissioners of the LMUA, attorney Jerry Dasti said.

"I think their feeling was putting a lien on a house doesn't help revenues...They need money to pay expenses. It's really a cash flow type of issue," he said.

Payment for services is due the 15th of the month it is billed, according to the new policy. If payment is not received by the LMUA by the close of business on the last day of the month, penalties will be posted the following day. If payment is not received by the 10th day of the month following the billing month, a shut-off notice is generated.  A customer will then have 10 days to make payment in cash, money order or certified check.

Service will be shut off as soon as possible on or after the 26th of the month following the billing month. There is a $50 service call charge for all turn-offs due to non-payment.

Residents who are unable to pay the full amount can contact the authority before the shut-off date to arrange a secondary payment option. This can be granted to customers owing $1,000 or more.

In that situation, the customer must pay at least one-half of the arrearage balance before the shut-off date, then have an additional 30 days to pay the remainder of the balance.

To restore water service during business hours, there is a $50 service call charge. To restore service after normal business hours, there is an $85 fee.

The one exception to the above penalties is if the authority receives a letter from a customer stating that they have a medical condition and turning off the water would prevent them from recovering. The authority also will not turn water off if they receive a doctor’s note stating that the customer has a medical illness with the length of time for recovery.

Sharkey encouraged residents with questions to contact the LMUA directly at 609-693-8188.

“This is not one of our resolutions, this is one of theirs but I want to make sure everyone is aware of what’s going on,” he said.

LMUA Executive Director Edward Woolf did not return calls for comment.