NOTICE TO RESIDENTIAL WATER CUSTOMERS

Moratorium on Residential Water Service Termination

Governor Cuomo recently signed into law amendments to the Public Service Law that prevent municipalities and public utilities from terminating water service to residential customers for non-payment of an overdue charge during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Additionally, all water suppliers must notify residential customers of the protections afforded under the law.

Please be advised that service termination is prohibited for an additional 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency expires (or until the expiration of the statute) for those residential customers who have experienced a change in financial circumstances due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. This law is set to expire on March 31, 2021.

If you are a resident who has experienced a change in financial circumstances due to the COVID-19 state of emergency and would like to request relief from service termination during the 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency expires, you must contact Nicole Ognan, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer by phone at 518-434-2922 or by email at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Please be further advised that the law does not eliminate a customer’s obligation to pay accrued charges. However, customers who have experienced a change in financial circumstances due to the COVID-19 state of emergency must be provided with the opportunity to enter into a deferred payment agreement without the imposition of deposits, fees or penalties. If the residential customer fails to avail themselves of the deferred payment opportunity prior to expiration, the village will relevy all unpaid water bills and penalties accrued from March 7, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

If you are a resident who has experienced such a change in financial circumstances and wish to enter into a deferred payment agreement to address any outstanding or accrued payments, you must contact Nicole by phone at 518-434-2922 or by email at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

The Village of Menands will require customers seeking a deferred payment agreement to self-certify that they have experienced a change in financial circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic to protect their account from shut off.

Sewer service is not contemplated by the statute. Accordingly, sewer service charges and late penalties may accumulate during the State of Emergency and be relevied in accordance with appropriate local law or state statute.

Please direct all other questions and concerns to Nicole by phone at 518-434-2922 or by email at email hidden; JavaScript is required.