Fremont may soon pay more for electricity
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on April 20, 2005 1:46 PM
FREMONT -- Fremont residents might soon be paying more for electricity.
Town Administrator Kerry McDuffie told the Fremont Town Board on Tuesday night that ElectriCities will increase the town's rate by 4.7 percent on May 1 because of increased fuel costs. He said that a resident currently paying a $100 electric bill would see it go up about $4.
Alderman Billy Harvey asked the board to study the matter and to absorb a portion of the increased cost.
McDuffie noted that ElectriCities had passed on one percent increases in October and March but that the town had absorbed those increases.
The board also studied other fees and charges.
McDuffie had asked the board to charge out-of-town residents $16 a month for garbage pickup. Two residents have been paying $14, the same fee as in-town residents.
The board approved a plan to pick up garbage of out-of-town residents if the truck passes their homes on the way to in-town residents.
But the board declined to act on McDuffie's suggestion to collect garbage in high-density, out-of-town areas, such as Peacock Street, until a specific policy is adopted.
The board also set fees for water tap-ons. The fee for a three-quarter-inch tap remained $350. A one-inch tap will cost $500, and two-inch tap will cost $2,000.
The board also will study a simplified minimum monthly charge.
Beautification
Robert Simpson from the state Transportation Department division office in Wilson presented a plan to beautify the new U.S. 117 and N.C. 222 interchange. He said DOT can plant flowers and trees but the town would have to maintain them.
Simpson suggested that a DOT architect meet with town leaders at the interchange to discuss the project. He said several towns have received the plants but have not kept them up and that Fremont would have to sign an agreement in order to receive the plants.
Aldermen Leon Mooring and Billy Harvey and town residents Jean Thorne and Mary Jo Hooks were appointed to a committee to work with DOT. The board approved a motion to send a letter to Jim Trogden, the division highway engineer, asking for the help.