SHAWANO, WI- Shawano Municipal Utilities (SMU) is urging customers who have fallen behind on their winter utility bills to take immediate action, as the state’s winter disconnection moratorium officially ends today, and shutoffs for nonpayment will begin as early as tomorrow.
General Manager Bruce Gomm confirmed that all affected customers have already received multiple notices from SMU about overdue accounts.
“Anybody who is behind on their bills has received multiple notices from us,” Gomm said. “We use three or four different methods to reach out — including hanging door knockers at their homes.”
With the moratorium now lifted, SMU will begin the disconnection process for customers who have not responded to those notices or made arrangements to bring their accounts current.
“If you haven’t paid your bill and you haven’t made arrangements with our utility, you risk being disconnected,” Gomm emphasized. “Everyone in that situation is strongly encouraged to come into the office and work with us to get those payments up to date.”
The annual winter moratorium, which runs from November 1 to April 15, protects residents from having their utilities shut off during the coldest months of the year. However, once the moratorium ends, utilities across the state are legally allowed to resume disconnections for nonpayment.
Gomm stressed that SMU’s goal is to work with customers, not against them.
“We don’t want to shut people off. We want to help them find a way to catch up. But that starts with communication,” he said.
Customers with outstanding balances are encouraged to contact Shawano Municipal Utilities immediately to avoid disruption of service.
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