Feeling Trashed By Springdale

I was a resident in Springdale for 17 years: eight as a student, two years while in college, and another seven after the death of my spouse. I have recently moved to Ellensburg, Wash., to be close to my former husband’s family and my sons, grandparents, uncles, etc. I had a most frustrating situation with the Springdale Water Department. Upon moving to Washington, I put my primary residence up for sale. It was on the market from July to December. I decided to keep most of the utilities going so that the house showed well. In September after I moved our household goods to Washington, I was in contact with Waste Management and canceled my service. In October I was charged on the water bill, and again I contacted Waste Management. This time I was assured it had been noted on my account and I was given a cancellation date. OK, I think, this is resolved.

Not so fast. I receive my November bill and you guessed it, I was still being charged by the Springdale Water Department for Waste Management services. This time I called the water department and find that they will continue to bill until a special form is completed that states that the property is vacant. Now, I’m a reasonable person. I get that no one wants a house to be collecting trash. I, however, appeal to their common sense of decency and explain I was not aware of any such rule and ask for them to consider returning funds for trash service that was not rendered. Their answer: We can’t make this go into effect until the form is filed and it will not be retroactive.

I’m really uncertain how a person is supposed to find out about this rule, and be treated fairly. There is nothing noted on our bills, the form is on the website, but how would I know to look for it? I don’t know if I’m the only one who has been in this situation. I do know that the way my situation was handled was dishonest. The city of Springdale billed for services that had been canceled from Waste Management. What exactly did the city do with the money paid for services not rendered? I always thought Springdale to be a fair and honest city. Now my view of how things are run is more than a little tainted.

Teresa VandDerHorn

Ellensburg, Wash.

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