Bessemer Township to resume water shut-offs

By CHARITY SMITH csmith@yourdailyglobe.com

RAMSAY — Bessemer Township residents who fail to pay their water bills in the allotted time may again face a loss of service after the township board voted Monday to proceed with shutting off water for non-payment of delinquent bills. The vote comes after a state prohibition on water shut-offs during the coronavirus pandemic was nullified on March 31. The quarterly water bills were just sent out to residents, according to information at the meeting. Those who fail to pay there bill by the due date — 20 days from the date mailed — will receive a delinquent notice. The notices must be paid within 10 days of the notice or the resident’s water will be shut off. “I know it’s big news for the public, especially if they haven’t been keeping up with their water bills,” township supervisor Jeff Randall told the Daily Globe. “I know with COVID it’s difficult and we understand that. At the same time, we’ve got our bills to pay and cash flow is starting to hurt.” He said that the township is willing to work with residents who need to be put on a payment plan. “It has to be a reasonable plan,” said Randall. “You can’t come in every three months and pay $5. If it’s a realistic plan, where they are aggressively trying to catch up, we will certainly work with them,”

Residents who need a payment plan can contact utility billing clerk Kristy Dums at 906-667-0018 to leave a message or reach her during her public office hours from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

In other action, the board:

—Chose not to increase building and utility fees this year.

—Reviewed the township’s insurance policy

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