A routine discussion about monthly payment of bills turned into consideration by the Watson Township Board of changing or altering phone service.

Supervisor Pam Brown told her colleagues Thursday night the bill from A T & T for land-line telephone service showed an increase. She said she was told the price hike was the result of the township’s plan expiring, something of which she was not aware.

So Brown and Clerk Kelli Morris on separate occasions tried to raise questions and concerns with the phone company, but had a seriously difficult time with their explanations because the A T & T rep on the other end did not speak English well.

“It’s just a matter of getting someone we can understand,” the supervisor said. “I’m sure the person on the other end was having a lot of difficulty understanding us.”

Trustee Rod Zeinstra suggested the township look into changing telephone service or switching carriers. He said there are such things these days as cell phone systems with routers to cover the supervisor, clerk and treasurer.

Kathy Pardee, who formerly served at Watson’s clerk, said it was entirely possible that the land line cable across the street could have been eaten by mice.