Important Notice – Action Required (Deferred Payment Agreement, Trickle, and Seasonal Refuse)

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

***ACTION REQUIRED***

 

Deferred Payment Agreement

 

The Village of Birchwood offers deferred payment agreements to residential customers (Birchwood, WI Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-219).  This written agreement allows services to not be discontinued for an outstanding bill if the customer pays a stated reasonable amount of the outstanding bill and agrees to pay a stated reasonable portion of the remaining outstanding balance in installments until the bill is paid in full.  The deferred payment agreement is not intended to be used as an alternative payment method to the quarterly bill.

In determining what amounts are “reasonable”, the following is taken into consideration:

• The size of the delinquent account.
• The customer’s ability to pay.
• The customer’s payment history.
• The time that the debt has been outstanding.
• The reasons why the debt has been outstanding.
• Any other relevant factors concerning the circumstances of the customer.

A deferred payment agreement does not include a finance charge. If you do not fulfill the terms of the deferred payment agreement, the village has the right to disconnect service or refuse service in accordance with these rules and such circumstances, it shall not be required to offer subsequent negotiation of a deferred payment agreement prior to disconnection.  In the event the utility is not able to collect any bill for water service even though deposit and guarantee rules are on file, the bill may be put upon the tax roll as provided in Wis. Stats. § 66.0813.

 

Trickle

 

A trickle is a small stream of water from a faucet that is purposefully left running during the winter to prevent pipes from freezing. An alternative to the trickle method is to have your water shut off completely and have your pipes drained – also known as winterizing.  A trickle credit gives customers a break on their utility bill, since it is likely the usage will be higher in a trickle quarter.  If the bill in the following quarter reflects a higher usage due to trickle, a credit is applied to that bill.  Anyone is eligible to receive the trickle credit, as long as their bill reflects the usage requirements to receive it AND the Village of Birchwood issues a statement that trickle conditions are in effect within the Village limits.

 

Seasonal Service

Seasonal customers are general service customers who voluntarily request, in writing, disconnection of water service or stop of refuse service and who resume service at the same location within 12 months.  The utility shall bill seasonal customers the applicable service charges found on the Village Fee Schedule.  Upon reconnection, the utility shall apply an applicable charge and require payment of any unpaid charges under this schedule. If customer fails to request seasonal services no refund will be given.

 

Forms available online at www.birchwoodvillagewi.com or contact the village clerk at 715-354-3300.