In a move designed to draw the debate to a close, the Bethel Village Council Monday accepted a compromise agreement with the owners of a Bethel apartment complex concerning unpaid utility bills.

The new agreement, removing penalties assessed by the village as well as some of the charges stemming from the year 2000, dropped a $10,000 bill to just under $7,000 and closed what is hoped to be the last unpaid utility bill issue in the village for good.

Last month, Brad Kerney, owner of the Shoe Factory Apartments, approached the council concerning a bill for unpaid electricity used by his tenants that spanned a four-year period. That bill, at about $12,000, was accumulated when the former Bethel Board of Public Affairs allowed residents in those apartments to continue using electricity while only making partial payments. The