Tignish Council wants utility accounts addressed

More than $18,154 is overdue to the Tignish sewer and water utility by 20 customers, the town’s sewer utility chairman reported.

John McInnis said the amounts overdue range from a little over $200 to $4,900. He got council’s approval to have warning letters sent out advising customers they run the risk of having their service cut off if they don’t pay up or at least make arrangements to cover what’s owing.

It might be the last time council has to make such a motion. Coun. Angel Murphy proposed a policy be developed which results in a letter being automatically generated once an account is 90 days in arrears.

Mayor Allan McInnis instructed Murphy to work with the town’s chief administrative officer to develop a policy for council to consider.

McInnis also suggested garnishing wages to collect what’s owing, but Murphy cautioned that process can become cost-prohibitive.

McInnis said sending accounts to a collections agency could be effective. That process, he said, would cost the town nothing up front, just a portion of the money the collection agency brings in. He suggested the risk to one’s credit rating might be enough to prompt a response.

In his monthly report, McInnis indicated work on the town’s lagoon expansion is progressing and on schedule.