The Morning Sentinel

July 22

Norridgewock cleaning up sewer system

Selectmen address billing errors made by town since January

By Erin Rhoda erhoda@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

NORRIDGEWOCK -- Selectmen added layers of oversight to the town treasurer position Wednesday night after it was discovered that more than 150 mistakes have been made on sewer lien notices or sewer bills in the past six months.

After an hour-long executive session, selectmen asked that the treasurer provide them with a list of liens every quarter. They also asked that the treasurer refrain from sending out sewer bills until selectmen can review them and sign the certificate of commitment.

"No bills will be sent from the office until we sign the commitment, from here on out," chairman Ronald Frederick said.

Since January, more than 150 mistakes have been made on sewer lien notices or sewer bills, which have been overbilled, underbilled or not charged at all, according to a letter Town Manager Michelle Flewelling sent to selectmen July 1.

However, Flewelling said she cannot direct the person responsible for the sewer billing to correct her actions. That person, Town Treasurer Charlotte Curtis, is an elected official and answers to the people of Norridgewock, not the town manager, sewer commissioners or selectmen.

"It is my responsibility to ensure that the interest of the town of Norridgewock's residents and facilities are protected and that all individuals are treated fairly and equitably; however I cannot make the town treasurer fix these issues," writes Flewelling.

Curtis says that, while it is her duty as treasurer to collect bills for sewer use, it is not her duty to bill for sewer use. That duty falls under her full-time position as office clerk and municipal agent, she said. In addition to treasurer and her full-time job, she is also town clerk and registrar of voters.

"The sewer billing is not the responsiblity of an elected official. The sewer billing was always a function of this office, since 1993," she said.

"At first it was the responsibility of the two people behind the counter. I was one of them because I've been here since 1989. As time has gone on, and the people in the other positions have changed, I've just accepted more and more responsibility," she said.

Selectman Laura Lorette sympathized with Curtis, calling the treasurer position a "thankless" one. "I couldn't imagine doing it for the pay that we give," she said.

Flewelling, however, said it is the treasurer's job to bill for sewer use. While state law can't technically mandate town treasurers to complete the billing, she said, it does commit to them the amounts due for collection.

Curtis receives a $500 stipend per year from the sewer department for her treasurer's work, and selectmen sign a certificate of commitment of sewer use charges each quarter, directing Curtis to collect the needed amounts.

According to public meeting minutes, there have been issues with sewer billing and collection for at least seven years, Flewelling said.

This March was the second time residents voted on whether to turn the position into an appointed, rather than elected one. The vote was 84 to 80 against the proposal.

Regardless of responsiblity for sewer billing, many errors have been made, according to Flewelling:

* In March, three sewer accounts were never billed; two were overcharged and eight were undercharged.

* In June, 10 accounts were never billed; 38 accounts were overcharged and 30 were undercharged.

* Between April 15 and June 17, 98 people paid their sewer bills, but many were charged higher-than-required interest rates and need credits.

* On January 11, 30-day lien notices needed to be mailed to 76 accounts. However, only 35 accounts were mailed. Of the 35, three were not charged a required fee, and none of the notices were filed in the office.

What the water district is reporting to the town as sewer use is not being reflected in the amounts charged to consumers, Flewelling said. However, both Flewelling and Curtis say they are unsure how the billing mistakes have been made.

The water district e-mails the town the consumption reports, which are automatically uploaded into a computer system, and bills are generated. Sometimes Curtis adjusts the rates manually based on different variants.

Curtis, who has been trained to use the system, said she does not know the source of the mistakes. "I have no idea. If this is indeed the case, on the next billing we can make adjustments, but until I know exactly who and what, I can't do anything."

Diane Gogan, of Norridgewock, said she thinks Curtis is being singled out and mistreated. "People in this town love her," she said.

Eric Conrad, communications director for the Maine Municipal Association, said it's not unusual for towns to run into issues of oversight for elected officials.

"This can happen, and it most often happens with towns that have elected road commissioners, that something comes up, and because there are multiple elected officials, they're all independent in a way," he said.

Erin Rhoda -- 474-9534

erhoda@centralmaine.com