Authority to Place Leins On Past-Due Properties

Borough Manager Joe Lansberry said that according to the Williamsburg Municipal Authority’s records, there are six properties in the area who have a bill up to $500 with little to no payment in the last year.

Lansberry asked authority members, “What should we do?”

Last year, Authority members agreed to lien properties with unpaid water and sewer payments.

“We have to do something,” Treasurer David Myers said. Authority Member Myers made a motion to start the lien process on the delinquent property owners. Member Ed Patterson seconded the motion, which passed.

A water meter representative attended the meeting on Feb. 13 to discuss installing new water meters in the area, which were known as “smart meters.” The presenter said the authority would be able to use software to do most of the record keeping and keep tabs on water and sewer bills. He also stated that others in the area (such as Bedford) have used the service. Following the presentation, the authority decided not to use the new meters.

Last month, customers received double water bills, Lansberry said. The authority was made aware of the mistake and corrections were made to the accounts affected.

Catharine Township representative and now president of the authority, Daryl Cole, said that the township is working with PennVEST to get sewer service for Ganister. President Cole said that Lansberry is working with the engineers and the Catharine Township supervisors closely.

Authority members decided to send a thank-you to both state Rep. Jim Gregory and state Sen. Judy Ward for their efforts in getting the authority the latest grant money that it was awarded.

The authority held a moment of silence before the meeting to honor the passing of Williamsburg Borough councilmember Jim Foreso, who unexpectedly passed away earlier in the week.