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NU Connect coming soon
The Newport Utilities Board, meeting Tuesday was brought up to date on the planned fiber project which is to bring high-speed Internet as well as TV and phone service to customers. Spokesperson Sharon Kyser said the new offering will be scalled NU Connect, and a new logo for the service is being created. The name reflects an effort to tie the service with the utility service "and also connects people and our community," she said. Kyser said because not everyone in the community is familiar with the planned offerings, a news letter will go out to all customers. In addition a community meeting is planned for the Pittman Center Community Center at 6 PM on Friday, to answer questions from interested customers. General Manager Glenn Ray told the board that the utility on Tuesday received approval to award the construction contract. "We are looking at August 21st, to mobilize the contractor and he will immediately begin work. Another contract is about to be let for the actual install into the home or business," he told the board. Ray said the agreement between NU and Morristown Utilities is nearly complete for the joint project. The contractor for the installation is Atlantic Engineering Group, which has lots of fiber installation experience. Finance Manager Sherry Frisbee reported that electric and water service showed a profit in the last fiscal year, however the Wastewater Dept. lost $203,000. State law does not allow a utility department to show a loss for more than two years and so the board is expected to hike sewer rates. Frisbee said the loss is due to lower industrial sales. Bulk water rates are going up for surrounding communities who buy water in bulk. Vegetation Manager Terryl Denton announced that lots of fire wood from rights-of-ways, that otherwise would rot is going to a Firewood Ministry. The needy recipients are being identified by the Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority. Although efforts will continue to collect bad debts, the board agreed to write off $35,000 in old bills. That number has dropped dramatically since 2009 when $138,000 was written off. The utility continues to sell it's old items on-line at Govdeals.com. Since 2008, the utility has sold $292,000 worth of items. And employees of the utility had a celebration on Tuesday, as a result of more than 300,000 hours of work without a lost time accident.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
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Mill Creek Wildfire Update
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Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
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