Nanticoke OKs Water Shutoffs: The City is Owed $126,000 in Fees. Notices Will Be Sent to Delinquent Property Owners.

By Michael P. Buffer, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

May 25–NANTICOKE — Late with your water or sewer bills? City homeowners are forewarned that their water could be shut off if they don’t pay up.

City council on May 17 approved shutoff agreements with Pennsylvania American Water Co. and the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority. The cash-strapped city is owed $126,000 in fees from water and sewer bills, Councilman William O’Malley said.

Mayor John Bushko said the shutoff resolutions are needed because there were “no teeth in the ability to collect” water and sewer bills.

“If we have the authority to shut off water, people will come around,” Bushko said.

Solicitor Joe Lach said notices will be sent to property owners “in the event of unpaid bills.” They will be warned their water will be shut off, Lach said.

Bushko said delinquent bill payers will be charged “shutoff fees.” O’Malley said 246 sewer bills are unpaid, noting the city doesn’t supply water.

The city’s population is about 11,000, and the number of homes in the city is about 5,000. About 12 percent of the homes are vacant.

Because of the city’s financial problems, the city has applied for the state’s Act 47 relief program as a financially distressed community. The city could run out of money to pay employees and bills by August or September.

The city passed a balanced budget in December, but the city is now projected to spend almost $3.8 million and take in almost $3.2 million in revenue.

Michael P. Buffer, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7230.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader

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