CORTLAND Cops find no crime in free water

The county prosecutor had turned down a request to investigate free water use.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- A city police investigation of free water going to seven houses has found no evidence of criminal activity.
The conclusion is contained in a report by Police Chief Gary M. Mink on the use of water in the houses, which have no water meters.
The report was sent to Mayor Curt Moll, Law Director Patrick Wilson and members of city council.
"The investigation, at this point, has resulted in the collection of no evidence that would suggest criminal activity to the prosecutorial level," Mink wrote. "There also was no evidence to indicate a quid-pro-quo allegation," he added. That is, nobody received anything of value in exchange for free water.
Mink said in his report that the investigation showed the houses received free water from May through August. This was a result of the city's having no policy or procedure controlling the use of city water by contractors before meters are installed.
The lack of a policy or procedure led to the use of free water by the house owners.
Display homes
The probe was launched after an Aug. 15 city council session in which lawmakers were informed by Councilwoman Deidre Petrosky that some houses were receiving free water. These were houses on display during the Home Builders/Remodelers Association of the Mahoning Valley's Parade of Homes.
Service Director Don Wittman said there was a loophole in city procedures, because there was no timetable in which property owners had to install meters so they could be charged.
Council has approved a procedure that requires the city to install meters 30 days after the homeowner or builder taps into the city service line at the curb.
The city has installed meters in the seven houses, Frances Moyer, city finance director, said Wednesday.
Moyer, who is also in charge of water billing, said estimated bills will be send out next week to the seven property owners.
The bills will range from an estimated $414 to $560.
Making estimates
The finance director said she made her estimates based on the amount of water that goes through a sprinkler head, the number of heads in the lawns and the times the water was turned on.
Petrosky said Wilson had first asked the Trumbull County Prosecutor's Office to conduct an investigation of free water use. She said Prosecutor Dennis Watkins told Wilson that the investigation should be done by city police.
In making his conclusion of no criminality, Mink said in his report that he reviewed ordinances, policies and procedures and interviewed a number of people, including city employees, administrators and contractors.
yovich@vindy.com