At least 10 Westminster water meters damaged

Chris Carter, the Westminster city administrator, left last night’s council meeting with the authority to penalize water customers whose meters were deliberately damaged.  After telling the mayor and the council that the utilities department had evidence of damage to at least 10 customer meters, Carter received approval to apply damage costs.  The city also reserves the option of a criminal prosecution.  Other utility matters were addressed during last night’s meeting.  The council agreed to authorize $1,600 to a customer who had been incorrectly billed twice for what turned out to be the same water.  The city traced the problem to the existence of two water meters for the same account.  Carter admitted it was the city’s mistake.  And the council heard the city administrator say the Westminster has three electric power customers who use energy thru other sources, such as solar power, that entitles them to rebates and the city to credit from their wholesale supplier, the PMPA.