Rockford Utilities’ building coming along
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Following its separation from the town, the Rockford Utilities Board continues to make progress toward moving out of Town Hall and into its own building.
During its meeting last Monday evening, the board reviewed updates on the building status, with the future location of the board’s office being located next to Dollar General at the intersection of Circle Drive and U.S. Highway 231.
The board stated that the new building is “coming along.” Board Chair Ronnie Brown and Board Member Burt Coffman said that concrete needs to be poured at all door entrances and the sidewalk in front of the building.
It was also stated that the front door and drop-box areas need awnings. The board further mentioned getting an estimate from Gary Ingram Grading & Paving for paving the parking lot at the building.
The board also mentioned that Ricky Cardwell leveled the back of the property at no charge, other than gas for the tractor he used in return. Scott Mangan was also to visit the building the following day to provide a price on what the board would need for computer wiring.
Board attorney Nancy Kirby also suggested that the board check with its insurance company to see if it has liability coverage at the new building.
Also related to the new building, the board unanimously approved purchasing appliances and cabinets for the restrooms and kitchen.
It was also mentioned that Robert Smith had spoken with a representative at Stump Jumpers to come and cut a pine tree located near the new office building. He was given a price of $400, and the board stated that it will pay for the tree removal.
In other business, it was stated that First Bank needs a copy of the minutes stating the three people on the signature list for the board’s Certificate of Deposit, or CD, accounts, with the board having approved the list of those three signatures during its January meeting.
Last week the board further unanimously approved having Ronnie Brown, Raymond Abrams, Burt Coffman, Ronnie Joiner, J.T. McDonald, Wade Brown, and Deanna Lesley on all Rockford Utilities Board bank accounts signature file and to have Ronnie Brown, Raymond Abrams and Deanna Lesley on the signature list for the board’s safety deposit box.
Also during the meeting, Kirby stated that she had received a call from Tom Young, attorney for the Town of Rockford, questioning the ownership of the board’s backhoe and trailer. It was mentioned that the town believes it has one-third ownership of the backhoe and trailer.
Further, it was stated that the town handled the bills for Rockford Utilities during the time the backhoe was purchased. As such, the board suggested that since the town has all the files for that time period and relating to that purchase then the town needs to show proof of purchase.
In other business, Utilities Clerk Deanna Lesley approached the board regarding getting a subscription to “The Coosa County News” for auditing purposes for any mandatory publications. It was stated that in the past the board has made copies of the newspaper publications from the town’s copy of the newspaper.
The board unanimously approved a subscription to the newspaper for the annual fee of $45.
Also during its meeting last week, the board heard from two customers regarding their water bills.
One asked if the board had a forgiveness program for when customers have a high water bill, and Board Chair Ronnie Brown stated that the board does not have a forgiveness program in place for that. The customer stated that he would pay his bill.
Another customer had a water leak and asked the board for an extension on paying her water bill, offering to pay a set amount that night and then to make monthly payments in order to catch up on the bill. The board unanimously approved the customer’s monthly payment arrangement.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Utilities Board will be held at 6 p.m. March 20.
