Increased lake levels give city breathing room for summer

"Going into the summer, we're in a lot better shape than we were last year," stated Stanley Parton, superintendent of the City of Lincolnton Water Department.

Lake levels were among the items discussed during the regular meeting of the Lincolnton City Council held Monday, June 1.

According to Parton, "Last spring, the highest the lake got was about 322 feet. For the past two months, it has hovered around 326 feet, but with little rain, the levels are starting to drop.

"It will take some type of tropical storm to make a dent in the lake this summer," said the superintendent.

Full pool for Clark's Hill Lake is 330 feet above mean sea level (msl).

Parton went on to say that the city is currently using its middle raw water intake value. "The lake is about seven feet above the middle intake valve, so we're in good shape."

In other items of information, Superintendent Parton noted that water production increased last month, climbing from 12.55 million gallons (mg) in April to 13.42 mg in May.

"This was partly due to dwindling rains and the fact that we flushed the entire distribution system," he explained.

In other business, Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff reminded those present that approximately 1,500 cyclists will be passing through town on Saturday, June 13, in conjunction with the 30th Annual Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG).

Bikers will use the Lincolnton Clubhouse and the shaded lawn at the home of Ernie and Renee Guthrie, across the street from the clubhouse, as a rest stop.

Volunteers with the Lincolnton- Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and the Lincoln County Development Authority will be on hand to distribute water, PowerAde, Georgia peaches, and other snacks.

In further items of business, the council:

.. Was informed by Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff that the city's new garbage truck has arrived and will soon be pressed into service.

The $110,852 truck was funded by a grant/loan from USDA-RD (Rural Development).

.. Heard the Zoning Department Report given by Mayor Biggerstaff in the absence of Zoning Administrator David Griffin.

The mayor indicated that Griffin's office issued two building permits and one sign permit last month for a total of $164. The department also conducted nine building inspections and approved two plats.

.. Heard Kay Remsen, city clerk, report that the city will receive homestead exemption checks for 2007 and 2008, totaling approximately $22,000, by June 15 of this year.

In addition, due to problems with the collection process at the state level, the city received two checks instead of one totaling $16,452 in LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) revenues.

.. Heard a request from Mayor Biggerstaff to meet with the city's Personnel Committee to discuss hiring personnel through the East Central Georgia Workforce Investment program.

The initiative allows a business owner or governmental agency to hire an employee for 90 days at no cost, with the understanding that when the 90 days are up, the merchant or agency will do their best to hire the employee.

In some cases, the contract can be extended another 90 days.

The Workforce Development Center in Thomson will pay the employee's salary and Worker's Compensation for the duration of the contract. The positions can be part time or full time.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, July 6, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.