HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0260 (2)Attorney Pope said he didn't think so; however, he was surprised the utilities
commission had allowed the services to deteriorate so badly.
Millicent Gillespy (2026 Kennedy Drive, Statesville, NC) said she had lived in
Lincoln Estates for 14 years, and she, along with the other residents, had asked Mr.
Nelson Brown, the owner of the water company, to make repairs to the system. She
said the problems had existed for years, and she felt Mr. Brown was not going to do
anymore than he had to do. Gillespy said that prior to Mr. Lucas' visit to the
subdivision, the residents had been out of water for a month. She said her water
pressure was very low, and at times she had to take showers at her mother's home.
Gillespy said the problem was getting worse, and eventually, they would have no water.
She said one house in the subdivision had water through the city lines.
Commissioner Williams said the Rural Development Center had grant funds;
however, a 50% match was needed. He asked if the residents would be agreeable to
about one-half of the per lot charge.
Gillespy said the residents might be interested.
Commissioner Madison asked if the county could place pressure, through the
utilities commission, on the water company owner to make the necessary
improvements.
Attorney Pope said contact could be made with the utilities commission to urge
the state officials to use their enforcement powers to improve the situation. He said the
county could act as an advocate on behalf of the subdivisions and ask why the utilities
commission had not assisted in bringing the services up to standard.
Commissioner Madison said the April 15, 2004 letter from Mr. Lucas, with the
North Carolina Public Staff Utilities Commission, indicated the state office was aware
of the problem, but it appeared the agency was trying to find someone else to solve the
problems.
Attorney Pope said the letter indicated no grant funds could be found, and it was
Mr. Lucas' suggestion that "the best option for providing safe and reliable water
service" was for the county to construct new water systems. Mr. Pope said he didn't
understand why the state official did not require the owner, who was permitted through
the utilities commission, to operate a water company.
Commissioner Madison asked if utility companies had to have performance
bonds.
Pope said he was uncertain about the bonds, but he felt the utilities commission
had the authority to appoint someone to operate the water company for the owner
(Nelson Brown).
Commissioner Madison asked the two women residing in the subdivisions, if
they were still paying monthly water invoices.
Gillespy said yes. She said, however, no one from the company read the meters,
and that Mr. Brown regulated the water bills. Ms. Gillespy said the owner sent the bills
just using his own estimates on how much water had been used.
OTIO by Commissioner Madison to direct the county manager, or county
attorney, to contact the State Utilities Commission for the purpose of requesting that the
Community Water Works be placed under a receivership, or that requirements be made
by the state office for water quality improvements.
Chairman Johnson said he understood a letter would be written to the state
officials to see what authority that agency had to require the owner of the Community
Water Works, Inc., to come under compliance and improve the systems.