MORGANTOWN – On the same day that the 78-cent rate hike became official for Preston County Public Service District No. 1 residential customers, a new customer complaint was posted seeking a general investigation of the PSD1 board for various violations of state code.
On Tuesday, the 15-day period for anyone to file exceptions to an administrative law judge’s recommendation in the rate-increase case expired with none filed and the new rates have taken effect.
Also on Tuesday, the Public Service Commission posted a complaint filed by PSD1 customer Michelle Hatch, of Reedsville. Hatch has been a leading critic of the board, alleging misconduct and mismanagement.
This is the second formal complaint filed. As we reported earlier this month, PSC staff are also investigating allegations submitted by Arthurdale resident Penny Nicholson, who once worked for PSD1.
Not counting two cover sheets, Hatch’s complaint spans 83 pages. Her complaint letter fills 6 ½ pages and the rest is attachments submitted as evidence.
Hatch cites state codes PSD1 allegedly failed to follow and other alleged misdeeds, including failure to report suspected fraud, failure to try to recover funds, misconduct, neglect of duty, incompetence, colluding by having “little meetings” at the chairman’s house with an employee, violation of open meetings law, falsifying paperwork and meeting minutes, signing falsified paperwork and minutes, and failing to follow PSC Records Preservation and Retention Policy.
Hatch follows that summary by saying, “Just one of these violations can lead to removal but multiple violations can and should lead to removal from board, fines, criminal charges and personal liability for restitution.”
Hatch has said at PSD1 board meetings and reiterates in her complaint that the PSD1 board chair has been illegally overpaid for four years: 2022, $450; 2023, $550; 2024, $450; 2025, $225.
She details in her complaint her attempts to obtain records about this and other matters, and the PSD1 board’s alleged failure to properly respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.
After detailing her allegations of misspending, lack of oversight, neglect of duty and incompetence (many of them reported in prior stories here), she says: “There desperately needs to be a general investigation done into all the misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, wasteful/fraudulent spending and serious lack of oversight.”
The process will take time to play out. PSD1 has 10 days from Tuesday to reply to the complaint, and then “the commission will proceed to investigate the matters set forth in the formal complaint in such manner and by such means as may be deemed proper.”
The proceeding is being referred to the Division of Administrative Law Judges for a decision to be rendered on or before Nov. 17.
Nicholson filed her complaint on March 10 and PSC staff filed its initial memorandum on April 8.
In the rate-increase case, the new monthly residential rate has gone from $57.03 for the first 3,000 gallons to $57.81. This represents a 1.37% increase – 78 cents per month.
Commercial rates, based on an average of 7,400 gallons per month, will increase by $1.62 or 1.34%. Industrial rates, based on an average of 78,200 gallons, would increase by $9.38 or 1.33%.
The next PSD1 board meeting is set for 4 p.m. April 28.
