Utilities see jump in unpaid bills with layoffsby Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)
The Goshen Water Department recently shut off service to 51 customers who were unable to pay their bills. They say they've seen an increase in unpaid bills with the recent layoffs in the RV industry. (WSBT photo) GOSHEN — As unemployment continues to rise, many families are making tough choices as to what bills they can pay. Just two day ago, the Goshen Water Department shut off service to 51 customers who haven't been able to pay. Goshen isn't the only city experiencing this growing trend. Multimedia Jeff Williams used to work at a manufactured housing company. ”I lost my job about 2 1/2 months ago, but it's still important to pay my bills, so I'm making sure I'm here to pay my bill," he told WSBT News. But the Goshen Water Department is seeing a jump in customers not able to pay. “The reason is because of the layoffs of the RV industry around here,” employee Sandy Null. “We have just noticed an increase more and more.” When customers don't pay, cities have less revenue to run their services. She says they try to be as compassionate as they can with each individual water customer, and give them up to three months to hopefully iron things out. “It’s a struggle because you feel for the people, too, because they’re being laid off,” Null said. “What can you do?” The Bristol City Water Department is also seeing more delinquent payments due to area layoffs. “We try not to shut them off, we try to work with them, get them to make some type of a payment,” explained Bristol Clerk Treasurer Mary Ryman. “But if they don't then we will turn them off." Mary says they try to be as lenient as possible, up to a point. "The notice that we send them says, ‘If you need help, contact us.’ What bothers me the most is some people won't contact us,” she said. Both offices say they expect the situation to get only worse in wintertime. Unemployed water customers will then have to deal with heating bills as well as water bills. Most PopularMore Good Stuff |
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