Bath Borough Manager Tom Petrucci informed members of council July 1 a total of $49,232.16 is currently outstanding in unpaid sanitation bills.

Petrucci reported the delinquent amounts accumulated over a three-year period. In 2009, 27 liens totaled $9,904.11. In 2010, 39 liens amounted to $23,720.84, and in 2011, 58 liens totaled $15,607.21.

The total in unpaid sanitation bills for 2012 was not available because the bills have been submitted to a collection agency.

While liens were issued to property owners in the past, additional efforts were sought to collect the unpaid sanitation bills. In addition to a collection process, letters were sent and phone calls were made. When a lien is placed on the property, the property owner is assessed an additional $125.

A property owner who has a lien issued from a past year can incur another lien and be required to pay another $125 until the collection process is satisfied, Petrucci said. He pointed out that sometimes the bills go unpaid because a property owner dies or moves out of the area.

Although the process to collect may take up to 20 years, it is generally beneficial to the borough to seek the delinquent amount.

Council discussed the matter further during an executive session held with the borough solicitor.