DUBOIS – Customers of the Sandy Township Municipal Authority who have paper billing were recently sent bills containing errors.
Some customers were reportedly overbilled while others were underbilled, according to Township Manager Shawn Arbaugh.
Arbaugh reported Monday night that customers will not be negatively impacted by this billing error.
He said customers who were overcharged will have the overage applied to their next bill. Those who were undercharged will not be penalized by the municipal authority for a “missed” payment.
“It was a mail-out error,” Arbaugh explained. “They used the wrong data file.” Customers paying bills via e-mail or online were unaffected.
Also, on Monday night, the supervisors voted to pass a STMP resolution outlining initial steps in the DuBois/Sandy consolidation.
Arbaugh reported information he learned following his discussion with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.
He said the supervisors must meet with city council within 60 days and establish a “transition committee.” It’ll be co-chaired by one representative from each municipality.
The committee is typically comprised of seven, nine or 11 members, and makes meetings open to the public, according to Arbaugh.
He said grants of up to $80,000 are available to help cover costs associated with the consultant required as part of the transition process. The municipalities would split any remaining costs.
Incoming Supervisor Barry Abbott proposed preemptively renewing Arbaugh’s contract to reduce any possible friction down the road.
The manager’s appointment is a two-year term in Sandy Township, and Arbaugh is one year into his initial contract. Abbott was concerned over his term aligning with the consolidation timeline.
Abbott suggested they tear up Arbaugh’s current contract and sign a new two-year contract. The supervisors weren’t open to Abbott’s suggestion and stated Arbaugh “wasn’t going anywhere.”