By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

REPRESENTATIVE Stanley T. Torres wants a “good faith payment schedule” for his utilities following an administrative hearing officer’s decision regarding his billing dispute against the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Torres, Ind.-Saipan, on Tuesday paid a 10 percent down payment for his utility arrears which total $2,032.45.
The Feb. 26 administrative order from the CUC hearing officer ordered Torres to make arrangements regarding the payment of his utilities bill. The deadline for disconnection was March 28.
In a letter to CUC executive director Anthony C. Guerrero a day prior to the deadline, Torres said the “order was subject to a stay from CUC, which it refused to grant.”
He added that on March 23 he filed a petition for judicial review in Superior Court and requested a suspension of the disconnection activities.
“This ‘stay’ may be granted at the discretion of the court. However, I am submitting a good faith payment of 10 percent of my total past due disputed amount,” he said.
Torres said he plans to pay the balance over nine months at $210 a month.
“If a decision is made prior to the nine months, then we can adjust the payment schedule according to the court’s order,” he said.
The lawmaker said that if “(CUC) disagrees with this good faith arrangement, then I guess I’ll be going home to candle-lit dinners in the dark.”
CUC spokeswoman Pamela Mathis yesterday said CUC officials would meet to discuss the lawmaker’s request.