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Georges Run water taps could go dry for county bill

MINGO JUNCTION — Village Council and a representative from the Jefferson County Water and Sewer Department on Tuesday discussed an agreement that allows the village to turn off water to Georges Run residents if their county sewer bill isn’t paid.

The village signed the agreement with the county on July 25, but Village Administrator Bob Smith said he is concerned about customers paying their water bills and then having their service turned off because they are delinquent on the county sewer bill.

Wayne Ruckman, county water and sewer department operations supervisor, said there are about 170 county sewer customers in Georges Run, with about 50 being delinquent. Ruckman said several delinquent county sewer customers have come in to pay their past-due bills since the agreement was announced.

Smith asked how the village can justify turning off service to paying water customers. He said he is concerned about losing water revenue.

Councilman George Irvin, chairman of council’s water and sewer committee, said the revenue loss won’t be too much and it would only be temporary.

The agreement states the county will defend the village in any lawsuit. Councilman Michael Herrick said he has been contacted by Georges Run residents threatening legal action.

“I don’t like it,” Herrick said, even though council unanimously approved the agreement.

Smith said the village should have discussed the matter and thought about it more before approving the agreement.

Mayor Ed Fithen said council “jumped the gun” on the agreement and should have looked at the pros and cons.

“They are paying (the village’s) water bill and that is my only concern. We are under an agreement and we will start it (turning off water),” Smith said.

Smith asked Ruckman if the county would be willing to turn over the Georges Run sewer system to the village.

Ruckman said he would take the request back to the county commissioners.

Fithen expressed well wishes toward Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. and his family. Bruzzese was shot on Monday morning outside of the courthouse.

“I wish the judge a speedy recovery from this senseless incident,” he said.

In other business:

¯ Smith asked council to consider a scavenging ordinance to stop people from picking through garbage for various items.

¯ Council changed its two meetings in September. Council will meet on Sept. 5 and Sept. 19.

¯ Councilman Jack Brettell, council’s recreation committee chairman, said the morning senior swim has been extended through Sept. 16.

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