Tensions in winery, sewer row near end

A dispute simmering since late summer between Murphys Sanitary District and the owner of Ironstone Vineyards over unpaid sewer bills and a new contract is headed for resolution, both parties say.

The district placed a nearly $15,000 lien against owner John Kautz on Aug. 4 and until recently was threatening to file a lawsuit if the bills were not settled.
  

But Kautz said Friday he recently sent a payment for most of the debt and, according to the district’s attorney, Ken Airola, discussion of a lawsuit has been suspended.

The two parties are scheduled to meet in January to resolve their remaining differences, Airola said.

For Fred Kett, president of the district’s board of directors, the dispute started when Kautz complained about what he believed were overcharges on Ironstone’s sewer bill.

Upon inspection, the district found that clean water was flowing into the vineyard’s sewer system, running up Kautz’ bill. A water leak was responsible, Airola said.

Kett said the district adjusted the bill, but it was his impression that Kautz continued to hold off payment because he wanted the past overcharges reduced. But the board could not accommodate the request.

“I don’t care how clean it was where it came from, once it comes in that sewer line it’s sewage,” Kett said.

Kautz, on the other hand, said he continued to hold off paying because of the slow pace of negotiations over a new 10-year contract between the sanitary district and the vineyard.

The previous contract expired about a year ago, according to Kett.

“I got unhappy with it not getting done, so I didn’t pay,” Kautz said, adding that the sewer overcharges also played a role.

Kett strongly criticized Kautz’ tactic.

“You don’t hold somebody up,” Kett said. “The contract is as different as night and day.”

As for the contract negotiations, Kett said Kautz’ expectations were unrealistic.

“It was like a wish list. No sewer district would send that contract back the way it came in,” he said. “The district is not going to rollover and play dead for Mr. Kautz.”

The contract deals with a variety of state requirements, including the installation monitoring wells on the property.

Both Kautz and Airola seemed certain a compromise would be reached.   

“We will work all the issues out,” Kautz said.