Beacon Falls reviewing utility bill audit proposal

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BEACON FALLS — The town is exploring entering a contract with a public utility consultant to review its utility bills for possible overcharges and uncollected refunds.

Troy and Banks Vice President of Business Development Gregg Welch last week made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen, saying the company could assist in finding and recouping potentially lost money.

Welch said the Buffalo, N.Y.-based public utility consultant business does in-depth audits of utility bills to see if there have been any overcharges or refunds that weren’t taken.

Connecticut allows the company to examine and collect on any losses from the past six years, Welch said.

According to Welch, there is no upfront fee for the company’s service. Rather, the company takes a commission of 50 percent of any overcharges or refunds it finds and collects for the town, he said.

If the company doesn’t find anything, Beacon Falls wouldn’t be liable for any payments, he said.

The average audit takes between four and six months, Welch said.

First Selectman Christopher Bielik said the town would likely be interested, but officials wanted time to look through the contract.

The Board of Selectmen is expected to take up the issue again during its regular meeting in March.