Watertown council rejects proposed $50 water-bill late fee

The Watertown City Council rejected a proposed change to the city’s water policy that would have added a $50 fee for late water-bill payments. The fee would have been added to the existing 10% late charge, with higher fees proposed for later violations.

The amendment did not pass, so it must be revised and brought back to the council before the policy changes. Council member Shane Garrabrant proposed a structure that would apply increasing fees only to residents with repeated late payments. Water Superintendent Aaron Harvill said the department wants to encourage more timely payments, while Mayor Sarah Pierce supported the original proposal.