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Council amends and adopts electrical meter ordinance, caps per‑violation fine at $500
Summary
Council adopted an amendment to the town electrical ordinance that codifies meter‑base inspection rules, 30‑day reconnection inspections, instrument‑rated service disconnect requirements and contractor notification rules, and added a $500 cap on per‑violation fines.
Town staff presented a comprehensive amendment to Chapter 38 (Electrical System) to formalize operational rules for meter bases, inspections and contractor notification. The amendments require Franklin County inspections before reactivating service that has been disconnected for more than 30 days or after a fire, require outside disconnects for instrument‑rated services, and set contractor notification and access requirements.
Planning/utility staff reiterated safety and liability reasons for the rules. Cole Dickerson, electric department head, described incidents where contractors cut wires late in the day and staff could not safely restore power without county reinspection. "If I do not have that inspection in my hand from the county, I will not put power back on because that brings liability," he said.
Council amended the penalty language to cap cumulative per‑violation fines at $500 (while keeping the $100/day framework) and then voted to adopt the ordinance as amended. Staff said it will notify customers on upcoming utility bills about the 30‑day reinspection requirement.
The ordinance is now codified; staff will implement communications on the timing and procedural changes and monitor compliance.
