The City of Bradford is preparing to move forward with collections on delinquent garbage accounts, while acknowledging there were some errors in information released to The Era last week.

“There have been some people in to correct possible mistakes in the garbage billing,” said City Administrator Teri Cannon. “For instance, someone may have moved and never notified the city, therefore we have continued to bill for garbage service and the account is showing as a delinquency. There are many scenarios that may or may not have taken place with a delinquent account. We check out all valid possibilities of error and make the corrections if we have been provided adequate and accurate information to back these corrections up.”

As an example, local businessman Todd Hennard was shown as owing money for a delinquent garbage bill. He went to city hall to address the issue, and found the city was billing incorrectly for the building where A Slice of the 80s is located.

He didn’t have an outstanding balance.

“I believe they have gotten the error corrected,” Cannon said, adding Hennard’s accounts are up to date.

For accounts that were delinquent, several people have stopped in at city hall to make payment arrangements.

“Our property maintenance department has been helpful in collection of some of the delinquent accounts as part of the inspection process,” Cannon acknowledged.

“We still have plans to move forward with collections and will be carefully reviewing the delinquencies before submitting anyone for collection,” she added.

Mayor Tom Riel acknowledged the city hasn’t been aggressive with collecting past due garbage accounts.

“Delinquent notices are supposed to be sent out after they are three months late,” Riel said. “In the past we have sent small batches of citations over to (District Judge) Dom Cercone’s. It’s a longer process.

“Very often people go on extended payment plans,” Riel said, the overdue money is collected, but slowly.

“We’re looking at three different collection agencies now,” the mayor said, adding, “where they would charge a fee on top of everything else. Years ago, the city quit charging a late fee on delinquent garbage accounts, and I think they should reinstate it.

Riel added, “We’re going to get more aggressive and we’re going to be turning more of these accounts over to the collection agency.”

There is still time for people to make good on the outstanding bills, he added.

“If people want to come to city hall and sign up for a payment plan, they would be most welcome.”