Encampment suspends late fees

While the Encampment Town Council meeting on April 9, 2020 was still open to the public, as government business is exempt from the State Health Officer’s order, seating was limited and spaced apart according to the new social distancing practices.

Doreen Harvey, Encampment Clerk/Treasurer, had taken Governor Gordon’s recommendation and prepared the council with as much information as possible in writing ahead of time to make the meeting utilitarian as possible. The minutes, financial statement, monthly bills, first reading of the budget and public works purchases were all expediently read and passed.

The most tremendous news of the evening was the vote on Resolution 2020-04.

According to Harvey, the Public Utilities Commission had circulated a document that suggested towns and municipalities suspend water and sewer late fees. The Public Utilities Commission does not govern municipalities and it was up to the council whether to pass the resolution or not. Harvey said she drafted the resolution based on the language provided by the Public Utilities Commission.

There was some discussion among the council members. One member was concerned that the money given away would eventually add up and catch up to the Town in some way as yet to be determined. Mayor Greg Salisbury, however, was of the mind set that the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is going to be devastating to many people. Other council members voiced concern that there are going to be a lot more unemployed and a lot more places shutting down. The council, therefore, voted to suspend water and sewer late fees for the months of March, April and May. The council also decided that they will revisit the resolution as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.

Lastly, Katrina Nuhn, Department of Public Works employee, submitted a letter of resignation which the council accepted regrettably.

The next meeting for the Encampment Town Council will be on May 14, 2020 at 7 p.m..