I had an upatairs apartment in my home that I rented. I paid sewage fees and water fees for a single household. Then my rates changed. I was charged double rates even though I have one sewer and one water line entering my home. I paid these fees even when my apartment was empty. Finally I decided I'd had enough bad renters, damages and extra fees. I eliminated the apartment. My house is now a single family dwelling. I contacted the sewer and water departments about the change. My water bill was immediately lowered. My sewer bill lowered, but there is a$3.12 extra monthly charge added to it. Unfortunately I signed a release letter which allows them to do this. The terms of the letter were vague and I assumed that sewage fees for the entire district were being raised.
Recently I complained to the BBB and the Attorney General-nothing. I complained to BTM Supt. Ralph Castellucci and his response was that he didn't think the charge was fair. Yet now he is the one responding to my complaints with letters saying that the extra fee (a debt retirement fee) "guarantees any increased use of said property in the future". This sounds like a line out of the old gangster movies where store owners paid "protection money". That was a scam and this is, too! I find it interesting that Ralph is holding me to the terms of the letter regarding the fees, yet in the same letter it says, " We understand that you are requesting a fee reduction, you are not currently renting your home and have no plans to do so in the future. If you plan on changing the use of this property, you must contact us immediately.By failing to do so, back charges and penalties to your account will be incurred". What penalties is Ralph talking about? I'm already being penalized! I do not have multiple taps as he says. I have 1 line! If this is the case every home in the district that has multiple bathrooms should pay extra fees for this so-called "guarantee". What a scam BTM has devised! I hope someone finally sees through it. If this is allowed to continue at $3.12 per month, I will pay $37.44 per year and $374.40 over a ten year period. This is FREE money for them. If anyone else would extort money in this way, he would face criminal charges, Yet the BBB and Attorney General are turning their heads and allowing it to happen.
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