Residents in Breslau, Ontario, who were facing a hefty bill of nearly $14,000 per household for sewer and water work carried out on their street almost ten years ago, have been granted an extended payment period. Woolwich Township council recently held a meeting where affected neighbors voiced their concerns regarding the bill.
During the meeting, Mayor Sandy Shantz empathized with residents, acknowledging the stress and frustration the situation had caused. She assured them of the council’s commitment to supporting them through the process. The bill, amounting to $13,950.19 per household, was sent to 25 property owners by the township to cover the total project cost of $348,754.75, following a neighborhood vote in 2014 in favor of the water and sewer services extension.
Due to a prolonged litigation process with the construction company, the billing was delayed until now. Initially, residents were given until December 12 to pay in full or opt for annual payments over 20 years with an interest rate of 6.7%. However, the township extended the deadline for full payment to May 2026 after realizing the lack of adequate communication with residents about the impending charge.
At a subsequent council meeting, resident Mark Schmidt raised concerns about the short notice given to decide on payment methods and the high interest rate for the extended payment plan. He urged the council to reconsider the deadline and interest rate, emphasizing the financial burden on residents.
Council members Evan Burgess and Bonnie Bryant proposed a motion to have the township cover the entire cost as a gesture of fairness for the lack of communication over the years. They also suggested drafting a policy to prevent similar issues in the future. Although the motion was not approved, a decision was made to waive the interest rate and grant residents more time to settle the bill.
Coun. Schwindt’s motion to waive the interest rate and extend the payment deadline was unanimously accepted, providing relief to Breslau neighbors. Residents now have until May 1, 2026, to confirm their preferred payment method and until September 2026 to pay the outstanding amount in full.