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June 12, 2009

Boynton looks to catch up on bills

By Donna Hales

The town of Boynton has about $15,000 in the bank and more than $40,000 in debts, Mayor Marie Wilson said Friday.

The bulk of the money — $25,887.15 — is owed to the town of Haskell for water bills and late fees:

• $10,483.50 for May's bill. Boynton's check for that amount has been returned for insufficient funds.

• $10,115.55 billed June 1.

• More than $5,000 in late fees.

About $1,500 is owed to employees, said acting Town Clerk Kay Lang.

Boynton has called a special board of trustees meeting for 7 p.m. Friday to decide how to pay Haskell.

Haskell will hold a board of trustees meeting June 22 to discuss what Boynton will be able to do about paying for its water, said Haskell Mayor Shannan Pardue. He said he plans to attend the Friday meeting at Boynton so he can advise his board.

Boynton Mayor Marie Wilson said she believes Haskell will allow Boynton to make payments on the late fees but wants Boynton to get current on its monthly water bills.

It will be beneficial to both towns to get the problem worked out, Pardue said.

Wilson said she hopes Haskell will allow Boynton to pay $8,000 on its past due water bill and agree to pay out over one year.

Boynton’s problems in paying its bills came to light in April after Clerk/Treasurer Pauline Osburn was arrested on two counts alleging she violated the Oklahoma Open Records Act. She was accused of refusing to turn over to trustees a list of delinquent water bills.

That list showed some residents were past due on their water bills as much as $8,000.

Osborn has since resigned. She is to appear on the Open Records charges Wednesday in Muskogee District Court.

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