Richards Avenue residents appeal water bills
May 8—Some of the residents of Richards Avenue in the town of Oneonta whose homes were affected by the gas explosion in December have appealed their water bills.
The explosion that killed one person and leveled the two-story house at 18 Richards Ave. displaced several nearby residents, many of whom have not been able to return to their homes as the buildings are still unsound.
The city of Oneonta's Board of Public Service addressed water bill appeals from Pauline and Charles Bailey, 15 Richards Ave., and Clare Anderson, 20 Richards Ave., at its meeting April 4.
Pauline Bailey wrote to the board March 21 requesting an appeal of the home's water bill, stating that the water has been shut off since the explosion and they likely can't move back in until October or later.
Neither the Baileys nor a representative attended the board meeting, according to the meeting minutes.
The board voted unanimously to adjust for overage charge and bill for Jan. 1 to Dec. 9, 2023 — the date of the explosion.
Anderson also sought a prorated water bill for 2023. Her house caught fire after the explosion, which occurred at the abutting property.
The house was demolished in March. Neither Anderson nor a representative attended the board meeting, according to the meeting minutes.
The board voted unanimously to deny the appeal and forgive the minimum charge.
Since there was no usage for 2024, zero charge has accumulated as the home is no longer in existence.
More Richards Avenue residents may appeal their water and sewer bills, however city staff said Wednesday that the only received appeals received so far were from Pauline Bailey and Anderson.
Board chairperson Dana Levinson did not return a call for comment Wednesday.
Ten days after the blast, law enforcement officials determined that a gunshot damaged a branch of the residential gas line and resulted in a natural gas leak, which came into contact with an ignition source, likely the furnace.
The explosion affected more than 50 property parcels in the Richards Avenue area and more than 60 residents and their families.
The house at 20 Richards Ave. subsequently caught fire, while the house at 16 Richards Ave. was heavily damaged from blast debris.
Town Code Enforcement Officer Paul Neske and a structural engineer identified almost a dozen houses that were moved 5 to 8 inches off their foundations.
Homeowners were able to return to their residences two days later to retrieve essential items, and contractors could enter to secure and board up windows from the exterior only.
