I wanted to reach out and voice my concern with what I feel is an absurd water bill payment policy by City of Fruitland.
My grandmother has been in hospital for last month. I wasn't aware of a water bill till I saw a delinquent notice delivered in Wednesday mail. Im glad I saw notice, this could have gotten ugly fast. This is what I discovered when I paid my grandmother's water bill.
Here is the link for City of Fruitland water bill policy.
http://cityoffruitland.com/userfiles/files/New%20Utility%20Billing%20Payment%20Policy%208-5-13%20(3).pdf
First, if payment is not made by Friday May 26th at 430. Your subject to disconnect. That contradicts itself when you read further, it states that if not paid by that time you are charged water bill + $25 administration fee + $25 reconnect fee even if they haven't actually disconnected.
Second, if they still don't receive payment after 72 hours from disconnect date, the property will be condemned and will need to vacate premises.
Third, for every day the property sits condemned you are fined $500. That is 200x the amount of water bill each day. According to policy this is necessary due to undue demand on city's already stressed resources. How is this stressing resources? Once you pay that ridiculous amount. You also have to have city inspector inspect property before property will be removed from condemned list.
I feel this is abuse of power and not even sure it is even legal.
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27 comments:
Fruitland has higher taxes than Salisbury and they gouge their residents at every turn. Their police would rather catch you speeding going 30 MPH than fight crime.
Get over the fact you're held accountable for paying your bills. If everyone would take ownership of their actions and stop looking to blame someone else for their apathy, we would all be better off.
This should be reviewed by the State. Does not appear to be ethical. Remember on election day.
How about the fact that the bill.had not be paid. Come one people.
11:18 AM Wow is jerk your middle last name? They are tending to their grandmother who is in the hospital. It has nothing to do with being accountable or taking ownership, because THEY DID.
By the time they figured out grandma wasn't going home in a week, someone had the foresight to think, hey we better look at some of this.
I've never heard of such a thing !
If they don't rec. payments with-
in 72 hrs. the house will be
condemned????? I would think this
is definitely NOT legit.
Fruitland water bills are outrageous ,my daughter wont even live in Fruitland for that reason
11:18 The point of the article has gone way over your head.
Gotta pay for that Eyesore just off the By-Pass...
11:18--
Did you even read the article? Have you even heard of empathy? Has no one in your family ever had a medical emergency? Do you work for Fruitland? I think that would be answered by 3 no, followed by a yes. The water bill and taxes in Fruitland are exhorbitant to put it lightly! They haven't been concerned about how much more all their increases have surpassed anyone's COLA raise (if you were fortunate enough to even get one of those). The landlords have totally taken over most of the city; what used to be fairly well maintained roads & personal property is now potholes everywhere & beer cans, Solo cups & fast food trash as far as the eye can see. Then there's the overgrown properties that look like a jungle nowadays. Disgusting.
Wow. Didn't realize Fruitland government was into such lawless coercion. Yes, a property can be condemned after the water is shut off. True in Salisbury, too. Most owners who stick tenants with large bills soon learn they are ultimately the one who has to bear the brunt of any non-payment.
MOVE.
11:18 why don't you get over yourself it was stated it belong to the grandmother that was in hospital for a month maybe they don't live there. maybe that was first time notice the bill for grandmother not all elderly stay on top of everything i agree with them the city is just gouging people for what ever they can get just like sourebury (PUN)if you were on assistance ill bet they don't shut off your water for late payment, QUIT THINKING JUST BECAUSE YOU MISS A BILL ALL PEOPLE ARE DEAD BEATS LOOK ALL AROUND YOU THE DEAD BEATS IN THIS AREA LIVING OFF OUR TAXES. do something constructive and get them off there lazy arcs
You have to have running water in a house. That is the way they can condemn it. I bet even if you ask them to turn the water off since you will be away they will STILL charge you the monthly/quarterly fee. Many people turn their water off if they are away during the winter months so that in case the pipes freeze it doesn't flood the entire house. BTW how much is the water bill in Fruitland. We should do a comparison on everyone's water bills.
This doesn't happen till many many days past due and second notice. You can't live in a residence without water. That is why it will be condemned....
Family of 3 water bill 265$ every 3 months in fruitland
I use well water. Who needs Fruitland water. Screw them!
is all a part of Their plan (you know who). They want your minds/brains! The Liberals have weak minds, hence the ease in which They can control them !! (Freebies, gimmedats)! Keep your mind away from the Televisions, that is Their mode of Brainwashing ! (Msm)!
Reply
12:23--
Minimum $250./quarter. Way higher than my mother's was in Salisbury.
Apparently, you haven't lived in Salisbury in awhile, 1240. Water, Sewage and Waste Removal has gone way up in recent years. Its very expensive. Gotta pay for that failed sewage plant somehow.
Don't monthly bills come MONTHLY? Trying to supervise the care of a loved one in the hospital (it's needed!) with an unknown length of stay, run your own household, work, and then try to remember to take care of another household and bills that aren't yours. Heavy load. Those penalties are RIDICULOUS! But, because of all the freeloaders and liars, necessary. If OP has provided documentation to city that property owner is in hospital, then they should work with the OP. If the OP just took to a blog instead of communicating with the city, then, not-so-much.
Fruitland water bill is quarterly. It is about $250 per quarter. I just checked my water bill due date. Due date was May 12th. So yes, I do feel this is excessive when all this happens 14 DAYS past due date.
I agree....lived in Fruitland 23 years and moved after Divorce...The water bills are absurd, and I agree with your report regarding their notices
First of all there are a lot more charges on your water bill than just water alone. There is sewer, sanitation pick up, bay restoration fee etc. The actual charge for water is only $50.00 for 3 months. Go check what Salisbury is charging with their new increase.
You have to pay for that expensive police mega palace and take home vehicles for the drunk chief and the fat lazy police who zoom around.
12:43 Apparently YOU DO NOT live in Salisbury. Our total W&S bill plus the other fees is less than $l50.00 a quarter. Fruitland is much more expensive!
If you live outside Salisbury city limits but receive city water they charge you double. My parents are struggling with $600 tp $700 quarterly bills.
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