Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 19, 1994 TAG: 9405190130
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
It is part of the planned 1994-95 budget being considered by Pulaski Town Council to help cover costs associated with the town's sewer system.
Because of work locating and fixing leaks and other problems with the sewer system, sewer costs in the coming fiscal year were projected to be $186,000 more than the revenue that would have been brought in at the old rates.
The town will also have to repay a Farmers Home Administration loan being sought to help with the corrective sewer work.
Rates for the first 3,000 gallons of water used would go from $15.75 to $17.72, with $2.54 per 1,000 gallons being charged for usage above that. The last increase came in 1990, when rates went from $15.12 to $15.75 for the first 3,000 gallons.
For out-of-town residents on the town system, the recommendation is $35.44 for the first 3,000 gallons and $5.08 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
Councilman Roy D'Ardenne, during council's first budget session Tuesday evening, expressed concern about a sewer rate increase on the heels of last year's water rate boost.
The town system has problems with water flowing into it and leaks from some of its older lines. A mobile television scanner that can check for corrosion and other damage from inside the lines is being purchased but will not be available for another month.
D'Ardenne suggested that the projected rate be scaled down in anticipation of the corrective work lowering the costs from water lost through leaks or other problems.
Town Manager Tom Combiths said those factors had been taken into consideration. Assistant Town Manager Rob Lyons added that, once a particular section of line is fixed, the problem often moves to the next section so the work is continuous.
At its regular meeting following the budget session Tuesday, council heard from citizens on issues ranging from water problems to train whistles.
Katherine Clark reported an increase in water bills for her and some of her neighbors on Overton Drive, even when at least one family was away from home during the period. She said she had problems getting town offices to respond to the problem.
Combiths said the winter storm was the major factor messing up water bill estimates, keeping town workers from getting the meters read regularly, but added there was no excuse for the delayed responses. ``I'm embarrassed ... I think the whole council is embarrassed,'' said Vice Mayor W.H. ``Rocky'' Schrader.
Mayor Gary Hancock asked for a report on the matter Friday when council meets for a budget session.
Council agreed to work with regional Pizza Hut manager Howard Walter on removing a median strip outside his Pulaski operation that blocks access to traffic going in one direction. Similar strips have been removed at the request of other Pulaski restaurants, with the restaurants bearing the costs.
The town is continuing its negotiations with the Federal Emergency Manpower Agency to try and get more federal help in reopening Dora Highway, another casualty of the winter ice storms. It was estimated that debris removal alone would cost $185,000.
Mary Lee Duncan renewed her complaint about Norfolk Southern train whistles being sounded through town, often at night when people are trying to sleep. Town Councilman Don Crispin agreed that there seem to be some ``hot dog'' engineers who sound their whistles all through town, while other engineers do not.
The town's ordinance leaves the sounding of whistles to the discretion of the engineer, who is supposed to use them only when there is a potential safety problem. Even if a violator is identified, the maximum fine is only $10, which would not pay for bringing the matter to court.
Councilwoman Alma Holston said the warnings are needed and she could not vote to ban them in town. ``There's no sense in coming back to Ordinance with it,'' said Ordinance Committee Chairman Nick Glenn. ``Put it up or put it down.''
In the end, council left the ordinance as it is.
by CNB