Mayor urges citizens of Alto to continue to conserve water
BY SHARON HOGAN
Alto Mayor Audrey Turner expressed her concern over water use in the city at the monthly council meeting on Tuesday, June 10.
Turner said all of the city’s wells are on at this time and citizens have stopped conserving water.
“Please back off on water use,” she said.
The city is currently under the state water use guidelines. The current outdoor watering schedule is the odd even system. Odd numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even numbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Watering is only allowed from midnight until 10 a.m. for 25 minute time-limits. This is hand-watering only – no sprinklers or soaker hoses are allowed.
Turner said it will be up to the citizens to report illegal outdoor water use.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the meeting:
•the council tabled any action on renewal of the contract with Baldwin for fire protection. The new contract proposed an increase of $4,000 over last year’s cost. The letter that accompanies the contract states the increase is due to the economy and rising operating costs i.e., fuel and maintenance. This is the second month this item has been tabled by the council.
•the council adopted a resolution to transmit a draft copy of the city’s comprehensive plan to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Alto’s plan is included in the comprehensive plan community agenda for Habersham County. Turner said, “This is not an approval of the plan, this is giving us permission to transmit the draft to the DCA.
•council member Cathy Armour expressed her concern with the lapse time when no police officer is on duty in the city. Armour said, “There should always be someone on duty here.” Armour asked if the city could hire another officer to help cover this time. Turner said, “We are not able to hire anyone at this time.” Council member Margaret Beaupre said, “We (the council) need to look at the times someone is on duty to help cut down on vandalism.” This was a problem for the city last year during the summer when the city did not have a police department. Police Chief Robin Krockum said he does not have enough officers to cover every hour every day.
PUBLIC HEARING
The council held a public hearing on the proposed comprehensive plan before the council meeting. One citizen was in attendance. No questions were asked.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at city hall.
