Stoneham Library and Water Dept. argue over bill
Published on January 24th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Two Town departments are wrestling over a $950 bill. One has the facts on its side, the other the law.
The Public Library fought the law — the Water and Sewer Review Board — and the Library lost 5-0.
Public Library Director Hugh Williams says that the last quarterly bill from the Town unfairly includes sewerage charges for water used in a spring 2000 outdoor beautification project. Outside water does not go into the sewerage system.
The way the law works is that water bills are doubled to calculate sewerage charges.
“Our bill is 130 percent more than it should be because of the sewerage charge and interest,” Williams said.
In a Jan. 10 abatement request, Library trustees told the Review Board that the Library had to act quickly on the beatification project to take advantage of in-kind donations of landscaping and gardening.
“Can’t they give us a break?” Williams asked.
Public Works Director Bob Grover says no.
“It says right on the water bill that the only way to get an abatement for outdoor water use is to install a meter,” Grover said. “The Library didn’t, and we don’t treat them any differently than a private citizen.”
Williams is angry; he says that the Library should catch a break because it is an institution of the people, struggling to stay on budget, provide services and maintain a nice looking building.
“Before the project we hadn’t watered the grass since 1994,” Williams said.
Grover says that the library had the opportunity to put in a second meter.
“They didn’t put in an outside meter, so they have to pay. That’s the law,” Grover said.
The Library has requested an outside meter.
Williams says that he may argue his case before Selectmen and the state before agreeing to pay the bill.
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