Snohomish farmer, water district spar over $11,000 charge

SNOHOMISH — A dispute over a water meter has resulted in the taps running dry at the Hagen Family Farm.

Jay Hagen has been hauling water for 37 sheep, 12 pigs and his home since last Monday. The Snohomish School Board president said his bill is paid but the Cross Valley Water District still shut off the water at his 220-acre farm.

Hagen, 56, said he has been in a feud with Cross Valley over adding a third water meter to his East Lowell Larimer Road property since last summer. The utility has been sending him notices that he must pay $11,178 to install it, he said. Hagen wants an explanation of the connection charges before he hands over the cash.

“They won’t do it,” he said. “You don’t just turn someone’s water off when you’re in the middle of a negotiation.”

Hagen currently has one meter for his barn. There is a second meter for his home and for two houses he uses as vacation rentals.

“It’s been that way for 50 years,” he said. “We didn’t do anything in the darkness. But all of a sudden, now, they’re not going to tolerate it.”

Cross Valley’s policy requires the vacation houses to be on a separate meter. Hagen wants the utility to allow an exception for his 65-year-old farm.

In an email, Cross Valley Water District Commissioner Mark Cassell said that unapproved connections that go undiscovered — no matter how long — are not exempt from the rule. Everyone using the water system is expected to share equally in the costs, he said.

Enforcing its policy, Cross Valley shut off one of Hagen’s meters last week after sending him a 10-day notice. That left him without water for half of about 100 animals on his farm. The barn meter is still operating, so he is able to water his 47 head of cattle.

Hagen wants to know why Cross Valley’s $11,178 connection fee is higher than neighboring districts he’s checked with.

A representative from the Silver Lake Water District estimated that it would charge about $7,600 to hook up two meters, which it would require — one each for the two vacation houses.

An Alderwood Water District employee said it would require a single meter for the two houses that would cost about $5,600. Both districts noted that those amounts can vary depending on certain factors.

Cassell said Cross Valley’s fees are regularly evaluated to ensure that they cover the costs of building the water system and are reasonable. To be fair to the rest of the district’s customers, the Hagens will have to pay up before service can be restored, he said.

Still, Hagen hopes to work something out with the utility before the travelers he and his wife, Barbara, 51, are expecting arrive for their vacations. He is considering taking legal action.

“Our main goal is to get the water back on,” he said. “You can’t just shut off water on a farm.”

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.