DPW Director Randy Brown, left, shows a broken water meter to water commissioners Luther Hosmer and Edward Johnson. The meter is believed to have been broken by a tree cutting service. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – A Sheep Pasture Road homeowner will not be charged for a large water leak due to what is assumed a mistake by a tree cutting service.
Water Department employee Kevin Soper noticed something unusual at 13 Sheep Pasture Road Nov. 18 and upon inspection found a water meter in a meter pit was broken.
Homeowner Ken Jackson said he didn’t notice any change in water pressure and Soper determined that Asplundh tree service, which was doing work at the property for Western Massachusetts Electric Company around that same time, most likely caused the break with a falling tree.
Photographs Soper took on site show freshly cut trees around the meter pit.
Asplundh was asked to attend the Dec. 19 Southwick Water Commission meeting, however, no representative showed up. Jackson was there to make sure he would not be charged for the leaked water.
Administrative Assistant Gail Cigal said the meter was replaced the next day after the discovery and the old meter read 449,000 gallons. Jackson said that far exceeds his normal water usage and he was concerned he would get stuck with the bill.
“No, you shouldn’t have to pay,” said Water Commission Chairman Luther Hosmer.
Jackson asked how to proceed and wondered about getting an abatement.
“You can’t abate it before the bill comes out,” said Commissioner Edward Johnson, adding that the next bills were not out until April.
Cigal said since the bill for the old meter went out in October and the meter was replaced in November, Jackson would only be billed for the current meter reading in April.
Jackson hoped for something in writing to mark the commission’s decision and DPW Director Randy Brown pointed out that the commission minutes would reflect the vote and serve as a reminder if needed.
Jackson then asked if the town would pursue legal action with Asplundh.
“I’d like to get together with them first,” said Brown, adding he does plan to bill Asplundh. “It was an expense to the town.”
Brown did say during the discussion that he hoped to look at smart meters in the near future, which can be read from the street using less manpower and time.
“It takes all three water employees about a month to read meters now,” Brown said.
Meters are read twice a year and billed in April and October.
