Martinsville board denies $65,421 sewer credit for 569 South Home Avenue, approves three smaller adjustments

The Martinsville City Board of Works and Safety voted June 8 to deny a $65,421 sewer-credit request for 569 South Home Avenue while approving three other sewer-adjustment applications.

Board members considered four adjustment requests: 909 East Columbus Street for $323.16, 569 South Home Avenue for $65,421, 1265 Ash Court for $79.94 and 1355 Maple Court for $1,727. A member who opposed the large credit said the utility office had contacted the account and that the board had already issued a prior credit at a previous meeting, and urged denial of the new request.

City staff reported that the utility office notifies customers when meters show continuous usage and that, in this case, staff called and spoke to account contacts. A board member asked for additional documentation and suggested adding a form field that records when staff attempted contact so future disputes can be better documented.

After discussion, the board approved a motion to grant adjustments for 909 East Columbus, 1265 Ash Court and 1355 Maple Court and to deny the $65,421 request for 569 South Home Avenue. The motion carried by voice vote.

The board did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the meeting transcript. The utility staff names mentioned during the discussion included Heather Stags, who was identified as contacting the account, and Mrs. Drummond, who was cited in staff notes; the claimant discussed by board members was referenced as Mr. Grayson.

The board did not specify an internal appeals process during the meeting; a member said that customers could return to the board to request reconsideration.