Water meters an issue in Vernon

VERNON – During the Mayor’s Report at the regularly scheduled Vernon City Council meeting, Mayor Al Mani reported that people were having an issue with water meters having to be dug up every month to be read.

“Because the meters are so low and close to the dirt roads it is inevitable that they will fill up with dirt and debris,” said Mani. “Over 30 percent of the meters have to be dug out to be read every month.”

Portia Green of the New Bethel AME Church was present to inquire about such a matter.

She said that recently there had been a mistake made where the meter was misread and that the meter itself was unreadable.

The Council said that efforts were under way try to get the meter replaced and adjustments to the bill had already been made.

Mani also made an addition to the agenda for the next Council workshop; he wanted to include a way for the employees to show their support to the National Guard and Reserves.

He also reported that the Washington County Council on Aging new program for the elderly was successful and meeting every Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for activities.

The Council also approved of the Consent Agenda, which included paying the bills, eliminating gutters from the Shady Grove project, approval of employee holidays of Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 and Thanksgiving, Nov. 25 and 26 and approval of dog fee of $41.66 plus cost of rabies vaccination with $10 handling fee to recover dog picked up by animal control.

The Council also approved the use of the Community Center for Thanksgiving dinner with no rental fee.