HOLLY POND, Ala. – The Holly Pond Town Council announced Monday evening that new sewer rates are now in effect. The council had posted notifications weeks ahead of the planned increase and noted in the ordinance that previous “sewer rates are inadequate to properly maintain the sewer system and the sewer rates have not been increased for many years.”
The ordinance also contains provisions for increases over the next two years.
Residential
- Effective July 1, 2021, base rate of $15.00 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge into the Holly Pond Sewer System and $2.19 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2022, base rate of $16.50 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.41 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2023, base rate of $18.15 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.65 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2024, base rate of $19.97 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.92 per 1,000 additional gallons
Small business
- Effective July 1, 2021, base rate of $30.00 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.31 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2022, base rate of $33.00 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.54 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2023, base rate of $36.30 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.79 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2024, base rate of $39.93 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $3.07 per 1,000 additional gallons
Commercial
- Effective July 1, 2021, base rate of $60.00 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.46 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2022, base rate of $66.00 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.71 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2023, base rate of $72.60 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.98 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2024, base rate of $79.86 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $3.28 per 1,000 additional gallons
Industrial
- Effective July 1, 2021, base rate of $60.00 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.46 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2022, base rate of $66.00 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.71 per 1,000 additional gallons $2.71
- Effective July 1, 2023, base rate of $72.60 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $2.98 per 1,000 additional gallons
- Effective July 1, 2024, base rate of $79.86 for the first 0 to 1000 gallons of discharge and $3.28 per 1,000 additional gallons
Former food pantry redesignated as event venue
Following discussions of what to do with the former Holly Pond Carpenter’s Cabinet food pantry building, the council voted to use the facility as an event and community activity venue and renamed it Holly Pond Event Center. The council also assigned a $100 rental fee for special events, though members said meetings of local clubs and organizations would be considered separately.
The council authorized Mayor Carla Hart to purchase a new electric stove, refrigerator/freezer and microwave oven for the event center, and to determine a price for the purchases at her discretion.
While inspecting the building, the mayor found rotted fascia boards, along with damage to the back door and an inside wall damaged by a possible air conditioning unit leak. Repairs to the fascia boards are underway, and the repairman advised Hart that the building needs larger gutters to prevent water backup. The council agreed to inspect the building before determining a course of action for further repairs. Hart will also get estimates for countertops and cabinets.
Jerry Hawkins Floor/Carpet Cleaning cleaned and waxed the center’s floors at a cost of $400, and Estes Heat and Air replaced an air conditioner blower motor, blower wheel and capacitor at a cost of $678.65.
Support for Holly Pond schools and kids’ activities
The council heard from Holly Pond High School teacher Stephanie Barnett about plans for a “School Spirit Revival” back-to-school bash to be held the weekend before school starts. She said that the event would feature inflatables, games, kids’ train rides, food and visits by Holly Pond athletes and school mascot “Gus.” The council approved a request from Barnett to hold the event in the town ballpark and said that it would open the park concession stand as well.
While the event is geared toward students at Holly Pond schools, Barnett said that it will be open to the community, including other students.
The council also voted to purchase a color advertisement inside the front cover of the Holly Pond High School football program at a cost of $300.
In council discussion, Hart presented a plan by Justin Morgan to start a kickball tournament league that would hold games every third Saturday from July 31 through the second week of October. Morgan asked for use of town fields, and for the park’s concession stand to be open. According to Hart, Morgan said that if the league can get 12 teams, the town could make up to $900 per day of play. The council did not vote but approved the plan by consensus.
Council discussion items
Hart announced that the town’s Lick Creek Road property sold for $7,500.
She also told the council that the town-owned building at 28 Brooklyn Road, which formerly housed The Middle of Nowhere antique shop, is now up for sale. A copy of a recent survey of the property, along with the asking price of $125,000, is posted at the property.
The council discussed plans from St. John Engineering for entrances and elevation for the new senior center to be located across from the library. Council members were concerned about the engineer’s plan to remove 2 to 3 feet of soil from the site, lowering the center down to road level. Hart and Councilman Charles Holcomb plan to meet with the engineer to get more information.
Beautification Committee Chairwoman Julie Ray told the council that the flowers recently planted around the town’s welcome signs on U.S. Highway 278 have been killed by weed killing sprays and trimmers. She requested that no more spraying or trimming be done at either location, saying that she would do it herself.
Ray also said that she wanted to update the flower beds at the event center, at a cost of $200. As the amount was covered under available funds in the town’s beautification budget, no vote was taken.
Ray also told the council that, following the success of the town’s Easter celebration, she would like for Holly Pond to put on a fall festival in October.
Hart told the council that an increasing number of people are fishing in the Governors Park pond, though the site is posted with no fishing signs, and that people are sleeping in cars in the park. She said that she would talk to the town’s assigned Cullman County Sheriff’s Office deputy and recommended that the council consider an ordinance at a future meeting.
The Holly Pond Town Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month in the conference room at the Guy Hunt Memorial Library. The public is invited to attend.
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