Interest, legal fees add up to $360,000
Reserves tapped; water and sewer rates unaffected, town officials say
By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor
PRESCOTT – The municipality will not appeal the Prescott Finishing ruling, it was
announced on Monday night.
Town officials came to that conclusion during a closed-door session held prior
to the regular council meeting. A judge ruled in favour of the company and
ordered the town to repay more than $470,000 that had been collected because of
a water billing error that continued for several years until 2005. The
municipality was also ordered to pay interest on that amount as well as cover
Prescott Finishing’s legal costs. When the town’s legal fees associated with the case are added, the total exceeds $800,000.
The municipality has until today to file an appeal. Mayor Suzanne Dodge noted
Monday’s in-camera discussion was good. Dodge added the decision not to appeal the
ruling was unanimous, although some her council colleagues were quick to point
out there was no formal motion put to council members at the in-camera session
on Monday.
