The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

October 3, 2012

Everette-Oates fights for town's water, sewer system

Staff Writer Calvin Adkins

TARBORO — Princeville Mayor Priscilla Everette-Oates made a public plea to the Edgecombe County Commissioners Monday night to not take the town's water and sewer system.

Everette-Oates told the board, if the county takes over, rates would increase which would cause hardships for citizens.

Princeville residents currently pay $21.12 for 4,000 gallons of water and $41.07 for 4,000 gallons of water used for sewer. The county's rates are $45 for water and $45 for sewer.

"I'm standing on the behalf of the citizens of the town of Princeville citizens because I know that the citizens already have problems trying to pay their water bills," Everette-Oates said. "If (the county) takes over there will be a tremendous increase. We don't want that to happen. I know that Edgecombe County Commissioners have the best interest for all the citizens of Edgecobme County. I pray that you all don't take over the water system or the sewer system because it will cause a great increase to the town of Princeville citizens. They have already suffered enough."

John D. Merrit, Jr., vice president of Envirolink, attended the meeting and backed up Everette-Oates' claim. Merrit said his analysis is based on information he retrieved from Edgecombe County website and also from the UNC School of Government. He said the average monthly water and sewer bill in Princeville is $62 compared to $90 in the county.

Princeville buys its water from Tarboro and has a contract with Envirolink for the upkeep of the system.

County Manager Lorenzo Carmon, explained that a water and sewer system must be able to sustain itself by obtaining funds for water usage, capital outlay and improvements and operational cost.

"The biggest expense that Princeville has is from the Town of Tarboro for water," Carmon said. "If they are not charging enough to take care of other things, then their rates may be too low."

Edgecombe County Commissioner Charlie Harrell pointed out the board was not prepared to make a decision whether or not to take over the system Monday night or any time in the near future.

The board did unanimously approved a resolution to apply for a $34,125 matching grant to be used to evaluate the operating condition and cost of Princeville's water and sewer system. The project will consist of a preliminary engineering report and GPS/GIS mapping of the water and sewer system. Carmon said LGC expects to participate by matching the grant.

Everette-Oates' plea to keep the town water and sewer came one month after state deputy treasurer T. Vance Holloman asked the county to look into taking over Princeville's system. Hollman's made the request because of the town's financial condition that is deemed catastrophic and also the town's poor collection rate for its water and sewer accounts.

Aiding the town's condition was perhaps a policy that passed by a 3-2 vote in April 2010 that allowed citizens to make partial payments on their bill and continue with service Some citizens apparently took advantage of the policy and bills escalated up to $3,000. In June, 200 citizens were placed on the cutoff list for delinquent payement. When LGC took over the town's finances on July 30, the state agency eliminated the policy.

Everette-Oates has said publicly that the town was working on solving the problem before LGC took over. She said Hollman's meeting with the county came to a surprise to her.

"We were very surprised when we saw the paper last month when LGC came to you all about taking over the water and sewer," she told the board. "We were very surprised because they did not communicate that with us."

Princeville Commissioner Isabelle Andrews, who is also the mayor pro tem, spoke on behalf of the citizens.

"When we lose services for the town of Princeville, we lose a lot from the operation of the town," she said. "I know that we need some help, but I hope that there will be another solution to the problem other than just take the service from our town.

"Edgecombe County has undertaken a massive project to provide water and sewer throughout the county. As of August, the county had 4,344 customers while Princeville has 750.

"Holliman and the staff of LGC recommended to you all to take over the water and sewer system. We think that is not a good idea. My understanding (is) that they brought it to you all without knowing how much it was going to cost."

 

Text Only
Local News
  • ACT_award_5-21-13.jpg Edgecombe Community College receives national award

    Edgecombe Community College (ECC) received a national award Tuesday night for its efforts to prepare students to be successful in careers and the workplace.
    Edgecombe was among four honorees that received national awards in Washington, D.C., during a gala that concluded ACT’s inaugural College and Career Readiness Campaign.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • image.jpg County gospel choir to celebrate 20th anniversary

    The Edgecombe County High School Gospel Choir, under the direction of founder Kristian Herring, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a live concert Sunday.
    “You will hear some traditional choral music, energetic spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel,” said Antonio Suggs, choir advisor.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Gas-Graphic.jpg Gas prices in Tarboro lower than state average

    With Memorial Day Weekend around the corner, travelers on U.S. 64 exiting  into Tarboro could discover some of the cheapest gas in North Carolina.
    On Wednesday, Murphy Express reported the cheapest gas at $3.35 while Hadi's, Raceway and Hess prices were one cent higher.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • UnitedWay.jpg Tar River United Way recognizes ‘community champions’

    “Be the change” was the theme of a United Way Tar River Region luncheon Wednesday at The Gateway Convention Center in Rocky Mount. United Way TRR recognized “community champions,” celebrated the success of its 2012 fundraising campaign and encouraged volunteers and partner agencies to “be the change” they want to see in the community.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • AIB.jpg America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month

    Tarboro’s America in Bloom (AIB) steering committee is gearing up for the AIB judges’ visit to town next month. AIB is a national non-profit organization that promotes “beautification through education and community involvement.”
    “Please join us as Tarboro prepares for the visit of national AIB judges on June 17 and 18,” said AIB co-chair Connie Sherrill in a competition planning update. “Help us bring out the beauty of our exceptional town.”

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Brown.jpg Local Principal Completes Leadership Program

    Donnell Brown, principal of Phillips Middle School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a yearlong leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association (NCPAPA) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and UNC-LearnNC.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Woman faces 32 charges

    A Tarboro woman's scam has led authorities to arrest her on 28 charges.
    According to a Tarboro Police Department report, Jennifer Ann Carr, 29, 1609 Barlow Rd. Apt. 9, took out loans in the names of 16 customers of a local business from January through April. Carr was employed through a temp agency with a local business, said Tarboro Police Sgt. Al Braxton. Braxton said the total loan amount netted $4,300.  
    Carr was charged with 16 counts of identity theft and 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. She was place in Edgecombe County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
     

    May 22, 2013

  • CRIME.jpg Two suspects arrested on 36 charges; third issued citation

    After executing a search warrant Thursday on a residence at 500 W. Johnston St. in Tarboro, police officers arrested two suspects for possessing a small amount of marijuana and issued a third suspect a citation for possessing a glass pipe to smoke the drugs.
    After the marijuana was found, officers notified two of the three suspects that they also had additional warrants on them from the department's "Spring Fling" drug campaign where they had sold marijuana to undercover officers.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • S.Herring.jpg Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday

    Want a leg up in a medical terminology course? Anatomy? Physical science? Take a look at Latin, perhaps the best grounding for all education.
    Not convinced? Just ask Stephen Herring, instructor of religion, geography, and developmental studies at Edgecombe Community College (ECC). He will teach an Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday. The class will meet at Fleming 218 on the Tarboro campus.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • DWI-Tests.jpg NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo