Warning the public of a possible misunderstanding concerning a company selling water line insurance topped the agenda for the Monday, April 2 regular monthly meeting of Livingston Mayor Curtis Hayes and the Board of Aldermen.

Water Department Superintendent Tim Coffee informed the Board about a company contacting senior citizens by mail to try and sell them water line insurance at rates of $4.99 per month, $14.97 per quarter, or $59.88 per year.

“The way it reads, somewhat, it’s like we’re affiliated with this company,” he said. “Okay, we’re not affiliated with this company, whatsoever.”

The company appears to be based out of California.

“I’d say they’re targeting people 50 years and older, and especially on fixed incomes, and they’re trying to say that it’s cheaper to pay them $59 a year to insure your water line,” Coffee said. “It shows the cost on the back, right there, your average leak costs $452 to fix and your average line replacement’s $2,385. That’s not so in this part of the country. That’s not how much it is.’

“But it’s scaring these people to death, and, of course, every time they do, they call us.”

He said Police Chief Greg Etheredge checked into the company and found it to be a real business.

“So, I just want to be clear,” Coffee said, “this is not us, and they are a legitimate company. I don’t know if they’d fix your leak or not. I’ve not talked to anybody yet that they’ve fixed a leak for, or if it does what it’s supposed to do. But these prices on the back are way too expensive, a lot more expensive that what local cost is around here.”

Mayor Hayes said, “I’ve had several calls on that from elderly folks.”

Coffee assured those concerned,” You can usually get a leak fixed around here for less than $100.”

He pointed out that the company’s letter does have a disclaimer stating that it is an independent company “separate from your local utility or community” and that the service is offered by an authorized representative for AMT Warranty Corp., who is the contract issuer.

Mayor Hayes wanted to make clear to anyone receiving any solicitations that the city is not currently involved in anything of the sort.

“Any time that the city will be running any kind of deals like that, it would be heavily put in the paper and the media would certainly know, and there would be a voice or a name that they would know,” Mayor Hayes said. “It wouldn’t be doing this from a base out of California.

“The same way with our police and fire, the same people seem to get the calls about lobbying for the local fire department or lobbying for the local police. As far as I know, Chief Dial and Chief Etheredge, neither one have been lobbying for any money for our local departments.”

Fire Chief Rocky Dial and Police Chief Etheredge each said that they are not, but Chief Etheredge said he has received reports of such calls