GWC customers expected to see rate increases
Barren County Clerk Helene Chase Birdwell provides details on changes for the May Primary Election Day, which is on May 17. Photo/Jeff Jobe
Allyson Dix
Jobe Publishing, Inc.
Glasgow Water Company customers may see an increase in their bills after the Glasgow City Council unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance in the regular April 27th meeting.
This follows a presentation from GWC Manager Scott Young at the last council meeting where he detailed extensively the challenges the local water company is facing. With increasing operating expenses, aging infrastructure, and meeting increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, as the ordinance states, the Glasgow Water and Sewer Commission (GWSC) put forth the recommendation to increase both customers’ water and sewer rates.
The ordinance also allows the Glasgow City Council to give the authority to the GWSC to annually increase water and sewer rates for GWC customers by up to 3% annually for the next five years.
The official adoption of the ordinance will cause the rate changes to go into effect after the second reading, which is expected at the next council meeting.
Changes in May Primary voting
Primary Election Day is May 17 and Barren County Clerk Helena Chase Birdwell shared details at the council meeting for local voters.
Barren Countians will see new changes regarding how and when they vote. The last day to request an absentee ballot online through the mortal was May 3, however, there are other early voting dates.
May 4th through the 11th eligible voters can visit the clerk’s office for excused absentee voting from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is for individuals who may be disabled, elderly, out of town on Election Day, last trimester pregnant women, college students, etc. The clerk’s office is located at 117 N Public Sq., Suite 1A.
May 12th through the 14th (Saturday) eligible voters can visit the Barren County Extension Office for early voting from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. These days are for anyone who simply wants to vote early and no restrictions are placed on who can or cannot vote these days. The extension office is located at 1463 W Main St.
On Primary Election Day, May 17, four voting centers will be open for all eligible Barren County residents to vote:
-Barren County High School Gym: 507 Trojan Trail
-Haywood Volunteer Fire Dept.: 67 Matthews Mill Rd.
-Austin Volunteer Fire Dept.: 2542 Austin Tracy Rd., Lucas
-Cave City Convention Center: 502 Mammoth Cave St., Cave City
Birdwell encourages voters to vote despite the new changes with the voting centers. Traditionally, Barren County had 25 precincts and it is a big change for our voters. However, try not to let that deter you from casting your votes.
Birdwell said if anyone has any concerns or questions, to please call her office and speak with her at 270-651-3783.
Business Items
Glasgow Dept. of Public Works Superintendent Roger Simmons and Glasgow Municipal Cemetery Sexton Paull Bragg gave the department’s yearly presentations.
-First reading of the ordinance passed for changing Myrtle Street to Moran Street in Glasgow passed with an amendment making the ordinance contingent upon the petitioner paying for residential expenses and other items;
-Resolution passed to allow a federal grant application in the amount of $1,489,620.00 through the Economic Development Initiative to be used for the Downtown Farmers’ Market—this grant requires no match from the City of Glasgow. Glasgow Mayor Harold MD Armstrong said regardless of what occurs with the farmers’ market as it relates to the downtown park project, this grant will allow for a farmers’ market to be constructed in the City without using any taxpayer dollars;
-Resolution passed authorizing the transfer of 30 acres at 845 Industrial Dr., fixtures, and personal property to Ply-Tech Corporation due to fulfillment of a May 1994 Lease Financing Agreement
