Monday, July 28, 2003
SHARON, Pa. -- City Council President Fred Hoffman thinks the city administration might need to hire extra help to go after sewer fee delinquencies.
Hoffman said at a council meeting Thursday that the city has delinquencies totaling $641,950.
Of that amount, $475,500 has been turned over to Sharp Collections of Sharpsville, a collection agency.
Michael Gasparich, city finance director, said Sharp has been able to collect about $125,000 of that debt so far.
Hoffman said the city might look at hiring someone to specifically deal with delinquent accounts in an attempt to get them current.
There are some large bills owed by individuals who own rental properties in town but aren't paying their sewage bills, he said, citing the case of a Greenville woman who owns 15 properties and has run up a delinquency of thousands of dollars.
Mayor David O. Ryan said that particular individual has been cited in district court numerous times, and Gasparich said the city has filed liens against her properties.
Hoffman offered another way to make her pay. "Shut all the water off to [her] 15 properties," he suggested.
Gasparich said that could happen in the next round of water shutoffs for nonpayment of sewer bills.