City issues sewer refund

A Cape Coral woman received a big check Thursday from the city as reimbursement for paying for sewer services for decades that she apparently was never connected to.

Ronnie Tribulas, 90, of 1911 S.E. 45th Street, was hand-delivered a refund check for $3,410.24. The city also extended a "goodwill credit" toward the current balance due on her water bill of $59.91.

"We will never know for certain what happened 36 years ago when this home should have been connected to the sewer system," said City Manager John Szerlag said in a prepared statement.

"What we can do is refund the sewer usage charges Mrs. Tribulas has paid over the years, clear her account and give her a clean slate to start her monthly water/sewer billing," Szerlag continued.

Stepdaughter Joan Tribulas said Tribulas was "totally ecstatic" to receive the check.

"We couldn't believe the city came through with any money," she said.

Tribulas had been paying monthly sewer charges since moving into the home in the late 1980s. A city sewer project was completed in her area in 1978, and homes were noticed to connect that May. When Tribulas experienced a sewage problem in October, a plumber discovered her home was still on septic.

Tribulas did not have funds to pay for the sewer line connection, which was complicated by a burrowing owl nest positioned between the connection point and the home. Dennis Rohaley, owner of Rohaley & Sons Plumbing Contractors, eventually learned of the situation and offered to help.

"I've been putting sewers in the Cape since 1976," he said, when asked why he stepped forward. "I thought it was the right thing to do. It's a a good feeling to do that for somebody."

Rohaley said Tribulas cried when she learned of his plans.

More here:
City issues sewer refund