Rep. Klarides-Ditria and Seymour Selectman Drugonis Testify on Bill to Reduce Interest Rates on Delinquent Water Bills

HARTFORD- State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105) and Annmarie Drugonis, a member of the Seymour Board of Selectmen and the Seymour Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA), testified together in support of legislation, H.B. 6676, which looks to give municipalities the flexibility to decide how much interest they are required to charge residents who have fallen behind on their water bills.

“Giving municipalities full control over how much interest residents, mainly our seniors, are charged for a late payment on their water bill will likely facilitate increased compliance with municipal and utility payment schedules,” explained Rep. Klarides-Ditria. “We need to give our residents, especially those who need it the most, relief during difficult times.”

Under the current law, all delinquent municipal sewer fees accrue interest at a rate of 1.5% per month or a portion thereof (18% per year). The intent of Rep. Klarides-Ditria’s bill is to amend the current law to allow municipalities to lower the interest rate charged on delinquent sewer assessments.

“I want to thank State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria for introducing this legislation that will help families during hard times and save municipalities money,” said Drugonis. “Piling more-and-more interest onto homeowners who are unable to pay their water bill only pushes residents further into poverty and forces municipalities to pay more for administrative and enforcement costs. I hope the Planning and Development Committee moves this legislation forward.”

Other states, such as New Jersey, have made modifications to their municipal sewer assessment rates permitting a deferral on the amount of interest permitted to accrue.

The bill, H.B. 6676, now awaits action from the Planning and Development Committee. Residents can track this legislation by visiting the General Assembly’s website, www.cga.ct.gov.

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