North country governmental entities will share in a $2.4 million settlement announced today by Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman with one of the nation’s largest medical waste disposal companies, Stericycle, for improperly charging nearly 1,000 agencies.

Police and fire departments, rescue squads, schools, jails, and hospitals were among those overcharged. Stericycle implemented automated price increases without giving notice to these customers, which violated its contracts, according to a press release from the attorney general’s office.

As a result of the settlement, every government agency affected will receive a check from Stericycle covering 100 percent of the over-payment. Overcharges totalled $820,000. Stericycle will also stop automated price increases to government customers covered by the settlement and provide the opportunity for customers to leave before future rate increases.

The top five taxpayer-funded agencies in the north country that will receive compensation under the settlement are Clinton Correctional Facility, Dannemora, $21,094.35; St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, Canton, $1,901.57; state police, Ray Brook, $1,803.89; SUNY Potsdam, $1,408.10, and Adirondack Correctional Facility, Ray Brook, $833.38.

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