Tina Emerson
Lake Santeetlah – It might not be the most popular decision, but sometimes adding more fees to a utility can help recoup lost costs.
As part of a cordial and productive Town of Lake Santeetlah council meeting Feb. 9, an updated water policy was unanimously approved by the four-member board (council member Ralph Mitchell’s medical-leave request ended in a 2-2 vote by the council Feb. 2), which included a new water-connection fee.
The revised policy states that a homeowner must now cover the costs associated with the service, material and equipment of a new connection – rather than a flat fee. In the case of home being sold and a new owner moving in, a $25 transfer fee would be charged to restart the utility.
The policy had been revisited last year, when council member Tina Emerson – who is also the town’s finance officer – made amendments to the existing agreement, based off previous feedback.
The policy was just one of several bullet points addressed at the council’s first official meeting since November. Since then, the town had struggled to form a proper quorum to conduct town business – thanks to a combination of factors (Mitchell’s aforementioned medical issues, plus unavailability and illness of other council members and town staff).
Other news and notes
* Public works technician Scott Kamps has been working with county employee Bailey Hall, using equipment borrowed from the Town of Robbinsville to locate Santeetlah’s elusive water lines. Discussed for years, Kamps has successfully traced and mapped roughly one-third of the network. The project is expected to be completed in the spring.
* Betty LoBoe with the Thunderbird Property Owners Association noted in her update that the group had recently participated in several positive activities, including selling commemorative bricks for the newly-renovated front entrance; performing its 33rd year of litter collection, as part of the N.C. Adopt a Highway program; and helped out with the Lake Santeetlah Clean-Up in September.
* In new business, the town’s water-meter reader has began failing to properly determine usages. Potential upgrades could be presented at future council meetings, before the 2023-24 budget is finalized.
* The council’s May meeting was moved to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 4, as Mayor Connie Gross will be in Florida on personal business the week after.