LaCenter, Ky. (WSIL)---Controversy is brewing in LaCenter, Kentucky after a Facebook post from town officials.
The post warned people the town would disconnect any water services tied to unpaid bills. Locals feel like the town did not give people enough time to pay.
A longtime town resident, Charlotte Oliver, says she feels the disconnections could have waited until after the holiday weekend.
“I was very disappointed in the way it was handled, the way it was stated on Facebook, and the way it was put out,� Oliver said.
Locals reacted on Facebook after the post on Thursday stated people had until 1:30 p.m. that afternoon to pay.
“I mean, to be fair, if your bill was paid by at least half, which means you were making an attempt, it shouldn't be cut off,� LaCenter resident Stephanie Dawson said.
The post said the office would be closed on Good Friday and instructed people to come into the office and talk with representatives. Dawson thinks they should have extended office hours.
“People have work. I would hate to think that my water got shut off for three days just because I was five minutes late,� Dawson said.
One comment from officials said the water bill needs to be paid by the 25th of every month to avoid interrupted services. A newer resident, Lucas Schmitt, says he heard customers received disconnection notices before the Easter holiday.
“You can't use this holiday season as an excuse to not pay the bill and to not take care of what you need to take care of,� Schmitt said.
Robin Serauskis shared that, when her pipes froze in the winter, neighbors stepped up to offer water. Dawson says people in their town would help if they were in a tough situation.
“As long as you go in and you talk to somebody, they are more than willing to work with you and to help you,� Serauskis said.
The city official said the city did not disconnect water during the freezing months out of decency. People who did have their water shut off would be able to have it turned on as soon as Monday.
