Published: November 28, 2008 10:05 pm      

Deep Creek business behind on water, sewer bill

County awaits $5,000 payment

OAKLAND — A Deep Creek Lake business could lose water and sewer connections if payments are not made to the Garrett County commissioners before the start of next month.

“Silver Tree is $50,000 to $60,000 in arrears,” Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator, said at Tuesday’s county commission meeting. “They have until Dec. 1 to bring it up to date.”

Pagenhardt said county attorney Mike Getty sent a letter to the owners of the Silver Tree complex saying they had until next month to get things up to date.

He said he received a call shortly after from Tom Anderson on behalf of Silver Tree Enterprises. Anderson, Pagenhardt said, requested the company be allowed to pay $5,000 to buy another month before utilities were shut off and get finances in order in that time.

Pagenhardt said this situation has been a problem at the complex — which houses a hotel, condominiums and a restaurant — since 2006.

“They have had a couple of years they could have been making payments,” Ernie Gregg, county commissioner, said.

A phone call was also received from the owner of the restaurant, Pagenhardt said. The restaurant owner requested the same thing, as he has reservations booked at the restaurant until after the New Year’s holiday.

Fred Holliday, commissioner, said he felt that if they could make at least the $5,000 payment, they could be allowed to remain open until Jan. 2.

After that point, Denny Glotfelty, commission chairman, said, there would be no option for the businesses but to pay the remaining debt, interest and other related fees to ensure the utilities remain on.

With only a few days left in the month, Pagenhardt said he had yet to receive a check for the $5,000 from the business.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.