Board settles in water dispute

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE – After a brief discussion, selectmen voted 4-0 Monday night to abate a water bill for more than $16,000 charged to the Publick House last year from June through October.
The vote came after Michael Glick, general manager of the local institution, came forward with an offer to pay half of the original bill, a total of $8,350.
The bill caused confusion for Publick House management when it first came to their attention. The Orchard Restaurant, the building that incurred the charges, has been closed since summer 2004. For 20 quarters since 2004 the building had been using less than 7,000 gallons, until the $16,700 bill, which accounted for 1.6 million gallons of water.
At the time, the Publick House paid in full, but disputed the charge, as no leak could be found. The water meter was tested by the Department of Public Works and found to actually be underreporting the amount of water passing through.
“If the Town agrees to the settlement request the Publick House will consider the matter closed and not seek an appeal with District Court,” Glick wrote in a May, 8 letter to Town Administrator Shaun Suhoski.
Suhoski told selectmen he favored the abatement for a few reasons. First, to avoid potential litigation; second, to avoid legal fees – possibly costing the town thousands of dollars – associated with litigation; and third, to ensure the town keeps the $8,350 in fees already collected. Suhoski noted in no way is the abatement an admission of wrongdoing on behalf of the town.
For his part, Glick noted the Orchard Restaurant will be monitored regularly for water usage and take steps to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter. Glick noted the fire sprinkler system has already been modified to prevent freezing and each winter it will be requested that water be turned off to the building from the street.
Selectman Thomas Creamer said he was prepared to support a full abatement citing past practices of the board where three previous requests were completely abated, when the town was unable to find the exact cause of the high bills.
Selectwoman Mary Dowling expressed her support for the abatement as presented. “I think the compromise settlement is fair,” she said.