City Council to consider voluntary water conservation
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on June 3, 2007 2:00 AM
Goldsboro City Council members are expected to discuss a potential call for voluntary conservation of water at their first June meeting Monday night.
Conservation measures are based on water level readings taken at the Neuse River.
Under voluntary conservation, residents are asked to take showers instead of baths, run full loads of laundry, turn off the water while brushing their teeth and more -- anything to reduce consumption by the city as a whole, officials said.
Much of the state is already in a severe to moderate drought and many local governments are beginning to call upon their citizens to conserve water whenever possible.
Johnston County issued water use restrictions last week. New Hanover County has imposed mandatory restrictions on some 7,000 customers in areas north and west of Wilmington. Officials said voluntary restrictions failed to slow the demand caused by homeowners watering lawns and gardens. Residents now are banned from using outdoor sprinkler systems, filling swimming pools, washing cars or homes and using ornamental ponds and fountains.
But water won't be the only issue on the council's docket up for discussion. Several other items are scheduled to be resolved also, including condemnation of three dilapidated dwellings.
Chief Building Inspector Ed Cianfarra is expected to recommend condemnation and demolition of properties located at 200 S. Slocumb St., 112 S. Kornegay St. and 508 Wilmington Ave.
Council members are also expected to review and take action on several conditional land use requests.
The first involves property located on the southwest corner of Lewis Drive and New Hope Road. New Hope United Methodist Church wants to open a daycare at the site.
Another will determine if National Welders can sell flammable materials at a store they plan to open on the east side of U.S. 117, between Hooks River Road and Cross Street.
A public hearing also will be conducted at the 7 p.m. meeting.
The council will hear from members regarding a revision of the Sewer Use Ordinance of the Code of Ordinances.
As is their policy, council members will open the floor to the public at the end of their session. Residents are invited to pose questions or raise concerns at that time.
The meeting will be held in the second-floor conference room at the City Hall on Center Street.
Those who wish to attend the meeting are asked to mute or turn off their cell phones and pagers.