SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A borough resident spoke to the borough council Wednesday about concerns over her electric bill.
Star Emery said her electric bill has risen substantially during the last three months.
“I’m having problems with my electric. My electric bill is almost $300 a month,” she said.
The Holiday Village resident said she is very conservative when using electricity and is frustrated by the skyrocketing price.
“I called Ryon (owner of the village), and Ryon said it is not his fault. It’s the borough’s fault. I called the borough. The borough said it is Ryon’s fault. Nobody wants to take responsibility. I think there is something wrong with the meter,” she said.
She looked at several meters one day and her electric usage was about three times that of her neighbors.
“I am now working part-time so I can pay my electric bill,” she said.
Borough Manager Scott Graver said, “If you call the borough (utility department), we will come pull the meter and test it.”
There is a small fee, about $25, which will be refunded if it is determined something is wrong with the meter. A credit would be issued on her electric account if that is the case, council President Marlin Berger Jr. said. If there is nothing wrong with the meter, she does not get the money refunded.
She has lived at Holiday Village for two years and the wiring, heat tape and other equipment is fairly new, she said.
She also wanted to know why she could not have PPL Electric Utilities as her electric provider. Graver said it is because no other electric provider has poles in the borough to provide service.
In other matters, Mayor Mike Devlin announced MS Awareness Week, an effort to spread support and raise awareness about multiple sclerosis from March 7 to March 13. Also announced was the Mayor’s Advisory Meeting, which will be at 7 p.m. March 21.
The council adopted an ordinance designating Willow Street as one way west from Dock Street (Route 443) to South Garfield Avenue.