Meeting dominated by utility issues

The March meeting of Westminster City Council was a get together dominated by utility issues. Besides grappling with paying more for their electric power supply, Westminster leaders received a complaint that a woman’s one-month power bill for her home on ‘D’ Street came in at $1,200. Mayor Rick McCormick said that was likely a mis-read of the meter, and the mayor promised to have the bill investigated. And for now, Westminster will make no change in the city’s policy that charges a 10% penalty for overdue power bills. Councilman Yousef Mefleh said he wants to lower the penalty closer to what Duke Energy and Blue Electric Cooperative charge. The mayor and council agreed to further consider a request by One Tone Telecom to allow the Seneca-based phone company to lease space on the city’s elevated water storage tank on highway 11. Financial considerations are to be negotiated. Scott Loggins, One Tone Telecom President, told the mayor and council that his company is currently in negotiations with Oconee County to be “a last mile” provider for the county’s high-speed internet project.