Sep 6, 2008 2 min read

An audit conducted by Kisiel and Rudnik, PC of Connellsville was released Wednesday verifying the financial discrepancies from 2005-2007. Since the authority found that most of its rules and regulations were not put into place during that time, Pat Stefano, chairman, said action needed to be taken to start enforcing them.

“We never had procedures in place and I don’t think he (the former executive director) followed through with much,” said Stefano.

As a result, the authority adopted a resolution effective immediately to include various miscellaneous charges while last month the panel eliminated the need for customers to remove their water meters if water service is terminated.

Stefano said once the weaknesses were detected they needed to be addressed.

“We had people not paying that should have got a delinquency notice and he didn’t send them out,” said Stefano.

For the most part, Stefano said the billing problems have been ironed out. “From here we’ll be more strict,” he added.

Solicitor John Cupp provided the authority with the amended charges that included a $250 charge to disconnect sewage along with fees of $25 for lien letters, $35 for returned checks for all reasons, $30 for posting notices on property, $75 for water shut off and another $75 to turn it back on.

Additionally, the resolution imposes a $120 per hour attorney fee when legal counsel must act for the authority in a manner directly related to the customer.