I would like to address your concerns one by one.

o New Bylaws – only one new bylaw has been passed this year and is remarkably similar to the one it replaces. The sections pertaining to payment of the utility bills have not changed, except for the numbering.
o The “sheer volume of threatened cutoffs” hasn’t changed significantly since June 2008. The difference is that now we are enforcing the bylaw.
o Not one person or household was “less than 100 dollars behind.” Having your outstanding balance transferred to another account does not make it disappear, that amount is still outstanding.
o No one that works for the Village or serves on Council feels that people are “merely numbers in a balance sheet.”
o “The embarrassment” could be dealt with by citizens claiming responsibility and communicating with the Village office BEFORE there is an issue. We are more than willing to work with people.

The Public Utility Bylaw has been in place since 2004 and was updated this year. When you compare the old bylaw to the new one, there is NO difference with reference to non-payment and the consequences. I’m not sure what other bylaw you are referring to when you use the plural.

If “folks” don’t pay their electrical bill, they no longer have electricity. If “folks” don’t pay their natural gas bill, they no longer have heat or hot water. Why then would “folks” expect to be able to ignore their water bill and still have water? Fi the village doesn’t pay their water bill, no one has water. The village doesn’t make a profit from the utility bills. The village also has significant monthly costs to maintain our water and sewer systems and transfer site.

If “folks” want to “pay a bill they have been comfortably spreading out over the fiscal year” they need to contact the office, as several residents have done, and make realistic arrangements.

People in the community seem to have plenty of community spirit, as was demonstrated through the fundraising efforts of the Fire Department and for the Haiti Relief. If you want change, file a formal complaint or make an appointment to meet with Council at one of the Council meetings. Gossip and anonymous postings on the website are not taken into consideration when decisions are being made. Be willing to let people know what you think in a public forum where you will become part of the record. People must have the courage of their convictions and be willing to stand up and be heard in order for anything to happen.

This “new bylaw” isn’t taking any money away from the village. People are actually paying their bills now. Most of the people that the staff spoke with let them rollover because they could, or always had in the past. Unfortunately, because of those that abused the spirit of the bylaw, which was meant to help those that may be going through a difficult period, everyone must now pay the price. People need to be proactive and take responsibility for themselves.

Not one resident has had their water turned off yet. This is no different than if you don’t pay your taxes, your property can be seized and sold. By allowing utility bills to be constantly rolled over to the taxes, can create a situation where someone no longer has a home.

The Village staff and Council welcome all comments and criticisms. If you feel there is a problem with the way the village is being managed, run for election in October.

Maybe those of you with “comfortable incomes and no financial misery” could stop by the office and make a donation toward those less fortunate who are struggling to pay their utility bill. It could help alleviate the problem.

Please refer to the following sections in the bylaws:
Old – Sect. 2.6 (a) (iii) New – Sect. 3.1 (c)
Old – Sect. 2.6 (b) New – Sect. 3.2
Old – Sect. 3.4-3.5 New – Sect. 4.9 – 4.10
Old – Sect. 5.3 (a-f) New – Sect. 7.3 (a-f)
Old – Sect. 5.4 (a) New – Sect. 7.4 (a)
Please note that they are all identical from new to old.