HUBBARD Delay in billing travel plaza for sewer tap-in means money down the drain

Council's utilities committee chairman said he's not happy with the delay.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Flying J Travel Plaza has finally been billed for its sewer tap-in fee.
"It's four months late," said William Williams, D-at-large, chairman of council's utilities committee, noting the city hasn't been able to collect interest on the $93,401 fee.
"I'm not happy with this," Williams said Friday. "There's no excuse."
Mayor George Praznik said Robert Toth, assistant to the engineer, attempted to calculate the fee by himself.
Praznik said Toth incorrectly calculated the fee at $36,000.
Praznik said he noticed the figure was incorrect because the tap-in fee just for a fast-food restaurant was $30,000.
Praznik said it was then he decided to use MS Consultants Inc. of Youngstown that serves as the city's engineering consultant to recalculate the fee.
Toth is not a qualified engineer, said the mayor.
Toth did not respond to messages left at his office.
John Pierko, vice president of municipal services at MS Consultants, said the city didn't ask the firm to prepare a bill until April.
The bill was sent to Flying J less than two weeks ago. It's based on such things as number of restaurant seats, gas islands, employees and square footage, Pierko explained.
'Delay after delay'
"It's a mess," said auditor Michael Villano. "It's been delay after delay."
Villano said he has been asking since November when the fee would be collected.
Williams, who credited MS Consultants for its quick response in sending the bill, said the tap-in fees for water and sewer service should have been sent to Flying J at the same time.
The $1,618 water tap-in fee was paid Jan. 9, according to the city's light and water office.
"This was a screw-up on our end," Williams said. "There's no excuse."