Candor will raise water rates ♥

Published in the Courier-Tribune on July 23, 2011

by Hugh Martin

CANDOR — For the second year in a row, Candor water customers will see the cost of water go up.

During the regular meeting July 11, the Candor Board of Commissioners approved a water rate increase and decided sewer rates will remain the same.

Last year the town was forced to raise rates due to an increase from Montgomery County, which operates the countywide water system.

The increase this year was recommended by Larry Pierce of Tritech Civil Environmental in Asheboro. Tritech evaluates the water system for Candor. An increase of $1.20, which will take effect with the September 2011 water bill, will raise the minimum bill for customers from $36 to $37.20.

The increase was not passed without comment. Commissioner Tim Privett stated that if the increase is approved he would like to see it remain steady for the next four or five years.

“We need to give the residents a break,” he said. “We just raised rates last year.”

On another matter, commissioners discussed a request from Brad Haynes, who asked the town to contribute $150 to the Sandhills All Stars youth baseball team for uniforms. The team competed in a district tournament but lost on June 26.

Privett suggested that, since they were no longer playing, the town only contribute 50 percent of the request. Commissioner Phillip Hearne agreed, while Commissioner Leslie Thomas suggested that the other 50 percent be held in case any of the other local teams go to state tournaments.

Commissioners approved the contribution of $75 to the team. Following the vote, Mayor Richard Britt asked Clerk Tammy Kellis to note in the minutes that he would personally make up the additional $75 to bring the contribution to the amount requested.

During the discussion, Privett told the board that he had tried to contact Kellis to discuss the baseball request but had been unable to reach her. Instead, he said that he had been connected with the former clerk who now works in another capacity in the town’s office. Privett said he expected to speak to Kellis on town matters.

In other business, Commissioners Privett, Hearne, Thomas, Layton Booker and Tim Smith:

• Heard an update on the work on a proposed Personnel Policy from Management Advisor John Gowan.
• Were given an update by Thomas on the Peach Festival.
• Discussed expansion of the farmers’ market.
• Heard an update from Gowan on the permitting process for the proposed bio-mass energy plant at the Mountaire facility. The town’s Planning Board still needs to meet on the request.