DUBOIS – Water reconnection fees for properties, which are disconnected from the DuBois City system for overdue payments, may rise to $150 in the coming weeks.
According to City Solicitor Toni Cherry, the last increase was in 2009 from $25 to the current $50. City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio compared the new, potential fee to that in Sandy Township at $100.
The first reading of Council Bill No. 1912 took place at Monday night’s DuBois City Council meeting. It will be up for final vote at the next meeting March 14.
“I know it sounds like a lot, but I think in the long run, it’ll save people money,” said Suplizio.
Suplizio told council members about a property that had its water turned off for being 45 days overdue on payment. He said that the owners quickly paid the overdue amount and the reconnection fee.
When the water was turned back on, a water pipe between the city’s line and the house broke, he said.
He noted that it was the responsibility of the property owner who was now out the overdue payment, a reconnection fee and repairs to their waterline.
“When you go messing with turning the water on and off, this is what happens,” said Suplizio.
Suplizio referred to some DuBois residents as gambling on whether or not their water would be turned off.
The goal with the $100 increase, he said, was not to collect more money for the city, but to raise the fees high enough to discourage citizens from not paying their bills.
“It gets to a certain point where it is high enough that everyone pays attention,” said Cherry.
Councilwoman Diane Bernardo invited anyone who can to attend the rescheduled Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) public meeting on March 7 at the Hiller Auditorium at the Penn State DuBois campus. It will take place at 6 p.m.
The council also announced a DuFast Transit public hearing that will happen at the city council chambers Feb. 29 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be to discuss a series of service changes for the area. It was noted that there will be a series of six open houses later.