Council approves website vendor and electric tracking-factor cut; smart-meter, antenna talks continue

The Darlington Town Council on Nov. 7 approved several utility and administrative measures including a website vendor contract, a temporary reduction in the electric tracking factor, and heard updates on smart meters and a proposed antenna agreement.

Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Cash told the council the town’s current website lacks the capability required for 2025 meeting recordings. The council approved a contract with Rural Water Impact/Municipal Impact for $1,270 and a $665 annual maintenance fee to add the needed functionality. The motion was made by Jeremy Weliever, seconded by Marilyn Cohee, and passed 4-0.

On electric matters, Electric Superintendent Brian Mullen reported the department is working on contracts for pilot projects (the transcript lists "425 pilot projects"). He said staff are progressing on smart-meter deployment and are in discussions with Aqua about placing antennas on the town’s water tower to enable remote water readings; those readings could allow the town to alter wastewater charging structures.

Council approved a motion to set the tracking factor for January through March 2025 with a decrease of $0.005268 per kilowatt-hour. The motion, made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Jennifer Flaugher, passed 4-0. Linesman Jason Gates asked to move forward with hiring a third electric-department employee; Council Member Cohee said she prefers to wait until revenue and expense figures from the rate increase are available before authorizing a hire.

Other routine updates included completion of street paving, refreshed markings and handicap-space updates, and a note from Marshall Kevin Crull that police logs and schedules were emailed and that he will look into cameras for Town Hall. The council set its next meeting for Dec. 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at the Darlington Community Center.