South Glens Falls has adopted a local law addressing properties without the village's new water meters. Village officials have spent years addressing meter holdouts.
According to The Post-Star, some property owners have not installed the new meters.
The New Law Addresses Meter Violations
The newly adopted law addresses penalties for meter violations.
The board passed the law after a public hearing Wednesday at which no member of the public spoke for or against it, the paper notes. The law allows village entry and inspection to confirm meters are properly installed and functioning, though it requires reasonable advance notice before entry into occupied premises except in emergencies, when that notice requirement is waived.
Notice Rules and Landlord Responsibilities
Visit notices must spell out the purpose of the visit, proposed dates or service-time windows, contact methods for requesting alternate appointments, and the consequences of denying access, according to the report.
Residents have also watched their bills climb for other reasons tied to the broader overhaul.
Water Rates Set by Board Resolution
South Glens Falls residents have experienced water bill increases tied to new meter readings and higher village-set sewer rates, the paper reports, and some have questioned how the village calculates charges for the properties that still lack meters. Under the existing code, the village charges flat rates to properties without meters rather than usage-based billing.
Under the code, properties without meters are charged flat rates.
The village's water code, as published on ecode360.com, states that water rates are charged according to a schedule of use types and fees established by resolution of the Village Board.
Meter Replacement Project
The village has a meter-replacement project.
Residents who had not yet arranged installation were directed to schedule an appointment with Saks Metering.
