July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
City may give break on leaks (11/20/07)
Portland City Council
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
Portland residents facing large bills due to water leaks may see some relief in the future.
Members of a local board discussed the possibility of adjusting both the water and sewage portions of large water bills caused by leaks.
Portland City Council member Glen Bryant brought up the notion during Monday night's council meeting.
The city's current policy is to adjust the sewage portion of a large water bill down to a three-month average prior to the leak. Bryant said he feels that the water portion also should be adjusted. He suggested cutting the water portion in half or taking a percentage off.
"Sometimes, it's really, really a burden" to people, Bryant said.
He took a poll to see how many council members might be interested in amending the city's ordinance.
Some said they were in favor of it - others said they might be.
Bryant agreed to meet with city attorney Bill Hinkle and work on drafting an amendment to the leak adjustment ordinance.
In other business, officials with Portland Forge asked for a portion of Penn Street and an alley to be vacated so the company has more room to store steel.
Steve Barcus, vice president of manufacturing, asked for the portion of Penn Street located east of Wayne Street, and an alley also located east of Wayne Street, between Penn and Lincoln streets, to be vacated. Company officials want to create new steel storage areas.
After the meeting, Brian Hayes, technical/process manager, said the company currently stores steel near a large crane. The crane is used to move the steel. The crane is getting old, and company officials want to start using a forklift instead.
Barcus said the new storage areas will be fenced in.
Council members voted to start the process to vacate the street and alley.
Also Monday, council members:
•Approved a lease agreement for a new parking lot located west of Portland Tire and Service on the south side of West Water Street, after holding a public hearing.
No one in the audience commented on the lease.
The John Jay Center for Learning owns the former vacant lot. The only payment under the agreement will be a one-time payment of $30,660 toward the cost preparing and paving the lot this past summer. The lease is for 10 years.
The city will maintain the lot and be responsible for snow removal.
The land was converted into a parking lot for those visiting JJCL and downtown businesses.
•Heard councilman Bill Gibson thank the city for its efforts in convincing state officials to install a left turn signal on Meridian Street at Votaw Street.
•Heard Dolphus Stephens, also a council member, report that several American flags downtown along Meridian Street are tattered.
Hosier said he would inform The Portland Foundation, which is in charge of maintaining the flags.[[In-content Ad]]
Members of a local board discussed the possibility of adjusting both the water and sewage portions of large water bills caused by leaks.
Portland City Council member Glen Bryant brought up the notion during Monday night's council meeting.
The city's current policy is to adjust the sewage portion of a large water bill down to a three-month average prior to the leak. Bryant said he feels that the water portion also should be adjusted. He suggested cutting the water portion in half or taking a percentage off.
"Sometimes, it's really, really a burden" to people, Bryant said.
He took a poll to see how many council members might be interested in amending the city's ordinance.
Some said they were in favor of it - others said they might be.
Bryant agreed to meet with city attorney Bill Hinkle and work on drafting an amendment to the leak adjustment ordinance.
In other business, officials with Portland Forge asked for a portion of Penn Street and an alley to be vacated so the company has more room to store steel.
Steve Barcus, vice president of manufacturing, asked for the portion of Penn Street located east of Wayne Street, and an alley also located east of Wayne Street, between Penn and Lincoln streets, to be vacated. Company officials want to create new steel storage areas.
After the meeting, Brian Hayes, technical/process manager, said the company currently stores steel near a large crane. The crane is used to move the steel. The crane is getting old, and company officials want to start using a forklift instead.
Barcus said the new storage areas will be fenced in.
Council members voted to start the process to vacate the street and alley.
Also Monday, council members:
•Approved a lease agreement for a new parking lot located west of Portland Tire and Service on the south side of West Water Street, after holding a public hearing.
No one in the audience commented on the lease.
The John Jay Center for Learning owns the former vacant lot. The only payment under the agreement will be a one-time payment of $30,660 toward the cost preparing and paving the lot this past summer. The lease is for 10 years.
The city will maintain the lot and be responsible for snow removal.
The land was converted into a parking lot for those visiting JJCL and downtown businesses.
•Heard councilman Bill Gibson thank the city for its efforts in convincing state officials to install a left turn signal on Meridian Street at Votaw Street.
•Heard Dolphus Stephens, also a council member, report that several American flags downtown along Meridian Street are tattered.
Hosier said he would inform The Portland Foundation, which is in charge of maintaining the flags.[[In-content Ad]]
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