Constantine water/sewer ordinance reviewed

Members of the Constantine Village Council last week reviewed an ordinance amendment to not allow anyone other than the property owner to open a water/sewer account.
The amendment includes a provision to allow tenants in rental property who already have an account to keep it, as long as they remain customers in good standing. The ordinance also clarifies whether unpaid penalties can be added to the property tax bill, in addition to the unpaid balance.
A public hearing has been set for Oct. 5 to review the new ordinance amendment. The action follows a complaint by Kathy Bontrager, owner of rental property at 465 1/2 Centreville Road. She requested the village dismiss charges of $960 that were added to her tax bill after a tenant left owing a water/sewer bill for that amount. The water/sewer account was in the tenant’s name.
The council said Bontrager was responsible for the bill and advised her to take the tenant to small-claims court.