BOW Denies Waiving Green Acres Mobile Home Park Wastewater Penalty Fee
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety Friday denied a request to waive penalty fees for unpaid wastewater services for Green Acres Mobile Home Park. Birch Realty, Troy, Mich., has owned the Warsaw mobile home park for the past six years. It came to the city’s attention in May 2012 that water and sewer payments were missed that month. Payments also were missed in March, July and August 2013 for the mobile home park, according to Mary Lou Plummer, wastewater payment office manager. Plummer said a lien was placed on the property Aug. 13. An account manager retired from the realty company around that time, and a letter from the business stated the realty was unaware of the billing. However, the realty later became aware of the billing issue that shows the penalties on their bill, but they did not contact the city regarding the issue until last month, Plummer said. Birch Realty requested a waiver of $13,711.23 effective Friday for unpaid sewage bills, according to a letter from the realty company. The board denied the request. Charlie Smith, board member, said the city is not responsible for running their business, and if their manager retired it is not the city’s job to handle that. “Penalties have been charged that they’ve been billed for. I guess I’m not sympathetic. It’s not our fault, they need to pay the bill,” Smith said. Jeff Grose, board member, made the motion to deny the penalty waiver fee, seconded by Smith. In other business, the board approved a request for Warsaw Police Department seeking quotes to purchase three police vehicles this year. The board also: • Approved a street closure request on Center Street May 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club City of Lakes Cruise-In. • Approved an agreement between Dive Rescue International and Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory for two dive classes this year. • Approved a contract with Green, Cates and Grossnickle to provide legal services this year for the Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory. • Approved an $18,000 contract between Jones & Henry Engineers and Warsaw Wastewater Utility department for additional site visits to the Center Street pump station. • Approved an $151,717.50 payment to Dore & Associates for the Center Street pump station demolition. • Approved a $40,000 payment to Grand River Construction Inc. for Center Street pump station work. • Approved a $50,336.10 payment to Harold McComb & Son for third-floor renovations at city hall. • Approved a $300 payment to EF Rhoades & Son for an annual contract for the city hall alarm system. • Approved a parking lease facility agreement between the city and Larry Polk. • Approved bi-weekly salaries for WPD corporals Wayne Wilkie at $2,020.66 and Ryan Moore at $1,850.06; and an hourly salary for Tyler Thomas, cemetery mechanic, at $15.52.
