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December Electric bill $64.45
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The Wells Fargo Trust account for payment of the “old” bill, i.e. the accumulated charges for the use of electricity over the past 5 years, has been depleted. Some of you paid the full $1,362.00 to get hooked up now. Others have been making installment payments and some have been waiting on the sidelines to “see what is going to happen.” The monthly bill for the “old” bill is about $2,500.00. The actual amount fluctuates depending on the peso. The December payment will result in almost a zero balance in the Wells Fargo account. The immediate problem will be the January bill, but the long term problem is that the payments extend to October 2009. Thus, there is approximately $25,000.00 still due on that portion of the electrical account.
I have spoken with the Village and they have assured me that they do not have the funds to finish paying the “old” bill. I have told them that I am prepared to take out a “hard money” loan to pay the entire amount. In the long run the bank will be charging me double the amount of the bill. I will have to finalize that loan by January 15th in order to make that payment and keep the electricity on. All houses that have already paid the full $1,362.00 do not need to be concerned about any additional fees or costs relating to this loan.
As soon as the entire “old” bill is paid the village will apply for individual meters for the homes that have paid. Once meters are installed each of us will be responsible for paying our own monthly charges for electricity. There does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel. They have already started the inquiry with CFE for the meters.
For those houses that have not completely paid the $1,362.00 and are paying on an installment basis, the balance due will double. This will be necessary to pay the costs of the loan.
For those homes that have paid nothing up to this point, the fee to be eligible to obtain a meter will be $2,724.00. This fee will be necessary to pay the costs of the loan and to obtain a certificate from the village to allow CFE to install a meter.
The Village has agreed that they will not grant the “Right of Way” to CFE to hook up any home that has not agreed to pay according to the terms outlined above. A written agreement, enforceable in California must be signed by all people that have not paid the full $1,362.00 before January 15, 2009.
Any person that pays the full amount of $1,362.00 by January 15, 2009 will be exempted from the increased payment. All others must agree to pay the increased costs.
Finally, the “current” bill for those homes that have been receiving electricity must be brought current. Some people are wonderful in getting their checks to me as soon as we figure out what each home owes. Other have made half hearted attempts at keeping current and some people are simply procrastinators. One person actually tried to figure out what was used and sent in a partial payment. The problem is not me. The problem is CFE. They do not understand partial payments and unless the entire bill is paid they will shut the entire village down. I am not in the village on a daily basis. I do not feel qualified to try to gage what I use versus what someone who is living in the village uses. Most people living full time are very conscious of usage and use very little electricity. Others that are only part timers leave electricity on when they leave and still others blantantly are stealing electricity from people that are paying. I am not casting stones. At our annual Christmas Party I am sure I used more electricity in the space of a couple of days than I did the rest of the year. However, until we get individual meters I see no other alternative than to split the bill equally. As I have previously stated I believe we can see the time coming when we will all have meters. Therefore, all houses must be current.
Some people may elect to install solar or continue with generators. Everyone has that choice. All I am trying to say now, is that on January 15, 2009, when I pay $25,000.00 to CFE and I have to pay interest, loan origination fees, points, broker fees, appraisal fees, etc. The cost to those people that have not paid in full will double.
Time is of the essence.
*If you aren't participating and would like to:
Please send your check for *$1362 (also those who are on installment please make regular additions). Please make those checks payable to "SM Special Electrical Assessment" (note your casa number) and mail to the address above (or take it to the VSM office).
**Your participation and promptness will be greatly appreciated.
Currently 58 are participating (33 paid in full/ 25 partial).
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Past 12 Months Bills (Average $43) were:
November contribution - $39.70
October - $47.40
September $ 45.80
August $43.45
July - $51.30
June - $42.35
May - $38
April - $38
March - $42
February - $47
January - $54
December- $32 |
