Resident Complaint Dominates Claypool Council
CLAYPOOL — Claypool resident Amy Aguilar was present at Claypool’s monthly council meeting June 19 with a complaint regarding her water bill.
Aguilar stated that her May water bill is almost double her normal bill, up to $150 when it is usually only $80. Aguilar was uncertain of her usual water consumption, but consumed just over 9,500 gallons within the 29 day metered period for May. She insisted there is no way a family of four — Aguilar, her husband and two teenage boys — used that much water.
She called the clerk’s office to question the unusual bill, and town employee Gene Warner went to the residence to check for leaks. No leaks were found. Aguilar told the council that Gene said he would “run some numbers” and get back to her within a few days.
Aguilar’s complaint is that Gene never got back to her with any information. Aguilar called the clerk’s office and left several messages, insisting that the clerk, Pat Warner, never returned a call. Pat insisted that she called back twice, leaving a “very lengthy” message with the second call. Aguilar, who was very upset, called her a liar, swearing on her children and husband’s life that she never received a call back from Pat.
Aguilar accused the council of charging residents more for water to make up the missed income of empty households, before saying that the high water bills are driving residents out of town.
With no leaks seen anywhere in the household, Aguilar insisted the council check for leaks in the piping outside of her home. President Niki Miller explained that that is not how it works, as the water is only metered as it enters the house and is used. Any leaks prior to the meter would not go through Aguilar’s meter and therefore accrue no additional costs.
In addition to other complaints, Aguilar felt that the $20 late fee she was being charged because she did not pay her bill while awaiting a response was unfair. Water bills are sent out on the first of the month and due on the 15th. The council agreed to remove the late fee.
It was agreed between the council and Aguilar that the only thing anyone could do is wait for June’s water usage reading to be taken and to compare usage over the last few months. Miller talked Aguilar through how to read the various parts of her water bill, including the breakdown of water and wastewater costs, consumption in gallons and the number of metered days.
In other business:
- Aguilar’s husband complained that he called the clerk’s office about the ability to use a certain trash can and had not heard back. The council advised him that only certain totes are allowed and to call Advanced Disposal to arrange a pick up of old trash cans and for further questions.
- Penelope Wagley of 102 E. Harrison St., Claypool, was back to discuss the “trash” at the back of her property. The waste sits on city property and has been an ongoing issue for the last few months. Wagley told the council if it’s not cleaned up, she will be back next month.
- The swimming pool ordinance is available in the clerk’s office for the regulations on filling pools. A protocol must be followed for water bills to be altered.
- Due to the last trash pick-up day being rained out, there will be another trash pick-up day Wednesday, June 21. Guidelines were mailed with the water bill. It is also posted at the post office.