Nearly 1,500 fail to pay water bills in 2007

[Guest Guest]

Nearly 1,500 fail to pay Binghamton water bills in 2007

 

By Doug Schneider

 

 

 

BINGHAMTON -- Almost 1,500 Binghamton property owners failed to pay their city water bills last year, contributing to the $1.4 million shortfall in water-department collections while sticking Broome County taxpayers with part of the bill.

 

A major adult-care facility, apartment complexes and the county social services building are among the properties where thousands of dollars in water charges weren't paid last year, according to records obtained by the Press & Sun-Bulletin.

 

The list of property owners who didn't pay their bills includes hundreds of homeowners, some Southern Tier businessmen, a $125,600-a-year family court judge and the city's acting police chief. The city turned the debts over to Broome County for collection; the county added the amounts to individual property-tax bills.

 

The news comes at a time when the city is considering a 30 percent water rate hike to offset the shortfall. Some officials now say the city should shut off the water to people who haven't paid.

 

"We're probably the only municipality in the state that doesn't do that," said Councilman Edward M. Collins, D-7th District. "We've got to be more aggressive."

 

More than one of every 10 water customers in the city were turned over to the county for collection of unpaid 2007 water bills, records obtained from the county under the Freedom of Information Law show. The lowest amount: About $100. The highest: More than $66,000.

 

Some highlights for the 2007 billing cycle:

 

* People who owe between $500 and $999 account for almost $390,000 of the debt.

 

* The largest delinquent bill was the $66,100 owed by Cohanim Realty Corp. for the Renaissance Plaza adult-care facility at 50 Front St. Cohanim paid half the amount in January, Collins said.

 

* The largest total amount owed by an individual is $14,646 owed by Emine Bayram-Williams of Binghamton on eight residential properties. She could not be reached for comment. The largest single bill owed by an individual is John C. Belcher's $8,923 debt for 20 Pleasant Ave. The county is foreclosing on that property, said Jack Cahill of Broome's Real Property office.

 

* The public official with the greatest individual debt is Family Court Judge Peter Charnetsky of Vestal, who owes $7,361 on three properties. He did not return messages left at his office. Acting Police Chief Joseph Zikuski owes $283 on one property.

 

* Most of the largest amounts -- about a dozen of them above $10,000 -- are owed by limited-liability corporations and other businesses. The owner with the most delinquent bills is Lands Properties LLC of Brooklyn, which owed $12,533 on eight properties (In January, Lands made 50 percent payments on six of its balances.)

 

* Some buildings used by the county are on the list.

 

Kradro Realty DSS, the Tier company that owns the 36 Main St. building that houses the county social services department, incurred a $5,819 bill. ISI Associates LLC, which owns the 229 State St. building that houses the public defender's office, was billed $3,392.

 

Ron Kradjian, a manager with Kradro and a part owner of ISI, said the companies made a business decision to have the water charge rolled onto its tax bills.

 

"That's an option the municipality gives you," he said. "Whatever the rules are, we're abiding by those rules."

 

Taxpayers paying the bill

 

Money from the delinquent bills comes back to the city via two payments from the county each year. The second of the two $700,000 payments on the delinquent bills from 2007 is slated to be made this August.

 

Endicott shuts off the water supply to people who are more than 45 days delinquent, said Gene LaBare, a Broome legislator whose district includes the village. He wants the city to consider a similar approach to avoid sticking county taxpayers with unpaid city water debts; if the county can't collect on a bill, its taxpayers must make up the cost.

 

He said he will propose to a county legislative committee this week that the county stop reimbursing the city for water bills.

 

"The problem is, the people I represent are paying the City of Binghamton's water bills," said LaBare, D-Endicott. "We already pay our water bills ... I don't think the county should be paying them a cent for the water."

 

The Binghamton City Council likely will discuss a proposal today to allow water to be shut off when bills are 60 days delinquent, said Collins, the councilman. But such a proposal could face objections from constituents -- from nursing home residents to people living in buildings owned by non-resident landlords -- who depend on building owners to pay water charges from rents collected from tenants.

 

Mayor Matthew T. Ryan said the city would have to "do something" to improve the collection process, but he didn't advocate turning off water to those with unpaid bills. "We're not close to that yet," he said.

 

On March 30, the city Board of Estimate and Apportionment voted to hike water rates by 30 percent beginning Aug. 1, and another 10 percent a year later. At the time, Ryan said the city needs "at least that size of an increase" to dig the city's water fund out of debt. Water customers currently pay $2.10 per 748 gallons.

 

Some property owners have made efforts to become current on their water bills: New York state, for example, paid the $6,871 it owed for property at 56 Water St. But others say efforts to make their payment attempts were rebuffed.

 

The YWCA of Binghamton & Broome County sent the city a $1,000 payment late last year for a $5,808 water bill at its 74 Hawley St. facility but the city returned the check, said Executive Director Carole Coppens. The YWCA paid half of its $5,808 balance in January.

 

The organization had been operating at reduced capacity during a two-year construction project, Coppens said, but "we fully expect to be able to meet our financial obligations" this year as more people move into the Y's apartments and the facility's expanded day-care center begins serving an additional 30 children.

 

"I don't know that there's anyone in this day and age who's not in pain financially," she said. "Water and other costs are skyrocketing, and they've got to be passed on to somebody. We certainly don't feel like we've been unjustly targeted."

 

Staff Writer John Hill contributed to this story.

 

http://pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...EWS01/804080361

[Guest Guest]

So they're raising rates of responsible people to cover those who are still using water and not paying for it. Great.

[Guest Guest]

Binghamton Mayor Matthew T. Ryan was not available to comment.

[Guest Guest]

Yeah...nice to see the names of those not paying, isn't it?

 

Must make Ed proud to see his bosses names there.

 

 

[Guest Guest]

So, Broome County pays rent to the Kradjian's for the DSS Bldg, and they can't even pay the water bill?

[Guest Guest]

So, Broome County pays rent to the Kradjian's for the DSS Bldg, and they can't even pay the water bill?

 

 

Because he feels he does not have to pay on time .. the city lets him get away with it and all the rest because Tarik and the rest of the liberalraties have no idea how to run a city. Meanwhile the HWOLE ENTIRE COUNTY NOW HAS TO TAKE CARE OF TARIK'S MESS.

 

Kradro Realty DSS, the Tier company that owns the 36 Main St. building that houses the county social services department, incurred a $5,819 bill. ISI Associates LLC, which owns the 229 State St. building that houses the public defender's office, was billed $3,392.

 

Ron Kradjian, a manager with Kradro and a part owner of ISI, said the companies made a business decision to have the water charge rolled onto its tax bills.

 

"That's an option the municipality gives you," he said. "Whatever the rules are, we're abiding by those rules."

 

[Ed Arzouian]

Seems clear he is abiding by the rules.

 

The County collects the city taxes. The County will collect the taxes and the water bill.

 

Sounds like the City's accounting practices need help.

 

They are sending back good checks and rasing the rates by 67% in two years.

 

Typical Ryan blundering.

 

Add this to the "Gaffe by Daph" (Daphne Gathers' failure to complete the FEMA grant application in due time) and you begin to understand what a mess things are.

 

It has nothing to with rates being too low, it is has to do with mismanagemnt, the hallmark of Matthew T. Ryan's administration.

[Guest Guest]

"Ron Kradjian, a manager with Kradro and a part owner of ISI, said the companies made a business decision to have the water charge rolled onto its tax bills.

"That's an option the municipality gives you," he said. "Whatever the rules are, we're abiding by those rules.""

 

 

 

Talk about disingenuous. This is not an option that the "municipality gives you". The municipality resorts to having the County collect water bills when dead beats like Kradjian opt to not pay in a timely fashion. The deadbeats use this self-created option because they get to pay only twice a year instead of thrice (assuming that they are even timely with their county taxes .... many are a year or more arrear in those taxes and claim that is an "option" they are given as well) and enjoy the use of and float on this money while denying same to the City of Binghamton. Meanwhile we the taxpayers of the City of Binghamton are left to pick up the slack for these wealthy deadbeats.

 

The rules are to pay by the due date, no ifs, ands or buts. Tell your deadbeat boss to get with the program and start pulling his own weight Mr. not allowed - the taxpayers are tired of pulling it for him.

[Guest guest]

Actually these practices have been going on well before Ryan got in. There are numerous businesses and private individuals that let their water bill roll to the taxes. That way, they get to claim it. Kind of sneaky because by doing it that way we still all pay. The IRS should look at every bill that rolls to the taxes to see if it's legit.

 

Like I said this has been going on for years so don't blame it on the present administration. This administration got stuck with it and it looks like they're going to try to do something about it.

 

If somebody has a check sent back it may not be for the full amount. The city wont take a partial payment.

[Guest Guest]

Seems clear he is abiding by the rules.

 

The County collects the city taxes. The County will collect the taxes and the water bill.

 

Sounds like the City's accounting practices need help.

 

They are sending back good checks and rasing the rates by 67% in two years.

 

Typical Ryan blundering.

 

Add this to the "Gaffe by Daph" (Daphne Gathers' failure to complete the FEMA grant application in due time) and you begin to understand what a mess things are.

 

It has nothing to with rates being too low, it is has to do with mismanagemnt, the hallmark of Matthew T. Ryan's administration.

Mismanagement? this is probably how the system has worked for a long time. Probably the YWCA sent the check to the city after it was turned over to the county. I think to put this on the current administration or any other administration isn't appropriate. I think that shutting the water off at places like the YWCA would cause greater problems for the city than the money would fix, especially if it is attempting to become up to date on its bill.

[Guest Guest]

Shut them all off.

 

Let's see how fast people start pulling their family members out of the Renassaince after the water goes off.

 

Turn it off.

 

Now.

[Guest Guest]

Seems clear he is abiding by the rules.

 

The County collects the city taxes. The County will collect the taxes and the water bill.

 

Sounds like the City's accounting practices need help.

 

They are sending back good checks and rasing the rates by 67% in two years.

 

Typical Ryan blundering.

 

Add this to the "Gaffe by Daph" (Daphne Gathers' failure to complete the FEMA grant application in due time) and you begin to understand what a mess things are.

 

It has nothing to with rates being too low, it is has to do with mismanagemnt, the hallmark of Matthew T. Ryan's administration.

 

Normally I don't have a problem with most of what you post about Ryan.

 

Blaming him for your boss's flagrant non-payment of his water bill makes even you look foolish.

 

Maybe people are on target when they accuse you of being obssesed.

Denial can make even the most rational people do just about anything.

 

Give it up. You are not going to win this one.

 

You need to learn how to pick your battles a little better.

 

[Guest Guest]

Normally I don't have a problem with most of what you post about Ryan.

 

Blaming him for your boss's flagrant non-payment of his water bill makes even you look foolish.

 

Maybe people are on target when they accuse you of being obssesed.

Denial can make even the most rational people do just about anything.

 

Give it up. You are not going to win this one.

 

You need to learn how to pick your battles a little better.

I agree he is fighting Ryan but that's just because he is playing on another loosing team.

 

[Guest Guest]

"Kradro Realty DSS, the Tier company that owns the 36 Main St. building that houses the county social services department, incurred a $5,819 bill. ISI Associates LLC, which owns the 229 State St. building that houses the public defender's office, was billed $3,392."

 

 

 

$9211 paid a year late. Interest rates last year were 5% or more. Result ..... $450 extra for Kradjian. $450 less for the Cityof Binghamton. $450 to be made up for by Binghamton taxpayers to subsidize Kradjian.

 

 

@

[Guest Guest]

So, Broome County pays rent to the Kradjian's for the DSS Bldg, and they can't even pay the water bill?

 

 

Please...

 

Seems like the 2006 bill was paid and the 2005 bill was paid and the 2004 bill was paid ....you can be sure the 2007 bill will be paid as well.

 

Maybe DSS is using too much water. Maybe they have not paid their bill?

 

I suppose if you do not like the method of collection you should re-write the rules....

[Guest Guest]

I think it is fantastic! We should all get together and not pay these ridiculous prices. If we all stood together instead of fighting each other, the corporate greed would stop.

[Guest Guest]

Please...

 

Seems like the 2006 bill was paid and the 2005 bill was paid and the 2004 bill was paid ....you can be sure the 2007 bill will be paid as well.

 

Maybe DSS is using too much water. Maybe they have not paid their bill?

 

I suppose if you do not like the method of collection you should re-write the rules....

 

 

What a ridiculously ignorant post.

 

 

 

 

[The West Sider]

In regards to taxed properties, at least the water bill can be rolled into the owners tax bill.

 

Since non profits don't pay taxes, what recourse does the city have other than shut off the water. That won't happen.

 

Will the city coffers see any of the money owed to them? Who know? Don't sweat it though. Why don't we just redistribute the "wealth" to the tax paying property owners that pay their bills (if rolled into their taxes or paid outright)?

 

More time, more chances.

 

TWS

[Guest Guest]

I think it is fantastic! We should all get together and not pay these ridiculous prices. If we all stood together instead of fighting each other, the corporate greed would stop.

 

All stood together???...BWAHAHAHA....Only 2 people showed up at the council mtg. to complain about the water rate increase!!

 

[Guest Guest]

I really liked Gene LaBare's comments about paying bills late. He has paid his property taxes late many times. He is on the county Finance Committe and he can't even manage his own personal finances.

Did you ever wonder why the county has money problems?

[Guest Guest]

Does anyone else remember when Naima! was running for mayor and she said the Kradjian's not paying their taxes was good for the city because by the time they got around to paying (if ever) the city got "more" money because of late fees?

 

Nice boss, Ed.

 

I suggest the Press look into whether the Kradjian's have paid their property taxes yet.

[Navin R Johnson]

I do have to laugh at Ed's response to this. what side of the issue would ed take if the kradjians were not listed on the deliquent water bill list? I think we all know where his stance would be. It is also extremely laughable that he would turn this into a blame the mayor or the city. Sure the citys policy is that if the water bill isn't paid, it gets rolled into the property tax to the county. It is funny how ed tries to blame the current mayor when this issue has been ongoing for years. Long before ryan took office. But I guess he has to try to delfect the spotlight somewhere and do damage control for the kradjians. However the issue is that these bills should not be rolled over and should be paid when they are due. The city does need to act and shut the water off on these properties no matter what or who they are. But ed trying to defend his employers because they are playing the system and taking more money out of the taxpayers pocket is a joke. It's bad enough that they have taken over a million dollars for the puppet theater. But now by not paying their water bill they are responsible, along with the hundreds of others, for an increase in everyones water bills. Ed before you criticize the city for raising the rates, maybe you should take a look around those you associate with.

[Guest Guest]

"Kradro Realty DSS, the Tier company that owns the 36 Main St. building that houses the county social services department, incurred a $5,819 bill. ISI Associates LLC, which owns the 229 State St. building that houses the public defender's office, was billed $3,392."

 

 

 

$9211 paid a year late. Interest rates last year were 5% or more. Result ..... $450 extra for Kradjian. $450 less for the Cityof Binghamton. $450 to be made up for by Binghamton taxpayers to subsidize Kradjian.

 

 

@

did everyone notice that the business guru MARK YONATY from GRETER BIINGHAMTON DEVELOPMENT, 19 chenango street (old press building) did not pay near $7000 owed to the city for water. keep in mind that he just got involved with the building less than 2 years ago and already is in TROUBLE. just a matter of time. mark my words, you will see.

[Guest Guest]

Why should anyone pay their water bills ? Those that do are just subsidizing those that don't. SHUT THEIR WATER OFF AND COLLECT THE DEBT BEFORE RAISING RATES ON THE PAYERS.

[Guest Guest]

Seems clear he is abiding by the rules.

 

The County collects the city taxes. The County will collect the taxes and the water bill.

 

Sounds like the City's accounting practices need help.

 

They are sending back good checks and rasing the rates by 67% in two years.

 

Typical Ryan blundering.

 

Add this to the "Gaffe by Daph" (Daphne Gathers' failure to complete the FEMA grant application in due time) and you begin to understand what a mess things are.

 

It has nothing to with rates being too low, it is has to do with mismanagemnt, the hallmark of Matthew T. Ryan's administration.

 

 

I can only imagine how your post would read if it were Ryan rolling his water bill into his tax bill. endless numbers of posts - rants and raves - investigations or impropriety - 100,000 posts - justice! retribution!!!