10B-103 The Water Division will be conducting random inspections of this City water meter in the future
at our sole discretion. Any further illicit connections discovered will result in the immediate
shut off of all public water to your residence permanently.
DPW looks forward to your timely response on this urgent matter. Please contact David Sparks
at 413-587-1098 to schedule the inspection.
Sincerely, ZiOS
Edward S. Huntley, P.E.
Director of Public Works
cc: Board of Public Works
Alan Seewald, City Solicitor
Merridith b'Lehry, Director of Public Health
Louis Hasbrouck, Building Commissioner
David Sparks, Water Superintendent _ _
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Edward S. Huntley, RE
Director ' --5 2013 I
DE NORTHAMPTON!NS
MA 01060
August 2, 2013
Kenneth Lynds
71 Reservoir Road
Leeds, Mass 01053 Certified Mail#7012 0470 0001 8928 0483
Regular Mail
RE: Illegal Water Connection
Dear Mr. Lynds:
On Monday July 29, 2013 you were visited by two City of Northampton Water Division (DPW)
employees to inspect the City's water meter in your residence. Review of historic billings to this
property noted substantial below average and past consumptive use. You were informed that
there may be a problem with the City water meter and that it needed to be inspected. You
requested the City Water employees to come back in an hour and you would be ready for the
inspection.
When the DPW employees arrived approximately one hour later, they were allowed to look at
the water meter and immediately spotted an illegal connection prior to the water meter. DPW
employees witnessed two hose faucets one just prior and the other just after the meter. It is
my understanding that David Sparks informed you that the faucet prior to the water meter
needed to be removed as soon as possible. It would be very easy to by-pass the meter with the
current plumbing arrangement in place and receive free un-metered water and subsequently
incorrect sewer bills. It is also my understanding that Mr. Sparks stated this multiple times and
each time you responded "I cannot guarantee it will be removed".
You have until August 16, 2013 for this illegal connection to be removed and inspected by the
DPW. If this work is not completed by this date, your City water supply will be shut off and will
not be turned back on until the illegal connection is removed and inspected by the DPW. If you
comply with this date you will have a new meter installed into your residence which will be
completely sealed to prevent tampering. If it can be established that theft of services has
occurred, the City may pursue any and all legal remedies. As noted on your water and sewer
bill, bypassing the water meter(s) is a crime that can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the
law under MGL Chapter 165 Section 11. In addition, the City requests the name of your
licensed plumber who installed this illegal connection.
u:\water\71 reservoir road water meter issue 073013.doc