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Commissioner Pelissier asked about working with people about low water usage and <br /> putting in low-flow showerheads and toilets. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the work is supplied through Orange-Alamance and the <br /> County would have to work with them to develop some program. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Jennifer McAdoo said that a 300% increase in 18 months is a big increase. She asked <br /> if it was possible to take a house off of sewer and put in a septic system. She asked that the <br /> rate not be increased so quickly. <br /> Joann Mitchell said that the customers would feel the pinch of this and the timeline <br /> should begin January 2010 and should use a five-year plan. She said that the County should <br /> revise the capital improvement plan to absorb the funds needed for the sewer system. She <br /> recommended that resident customers receive uncharged sewage one month a year if the use <br /> is kept under 3,000 gallons. This would cause customers to conserve. <br /> Sam Gharbo is a new resident of Orange County. He said that he missed the first <br /> public hearing. He said that his current costs are double that of what he was paying in Durham <br /> County. He asked about the rush to equalize this fund in such a short period of time if it has <br /> been subsidized for 20 years. <br /> Laurie Wolfe said that she recently moved to Efland from Chapel Hill and to more than <br /> double the water bill in one month is too short a period of time. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked for a motion. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger to start the increase in July 2009 and <br /> spread it out over a true three- or four-year plan. There was no second and the motion failed. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Pellisier, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger <br /> to start the increase in July 2009 and spread it over a four-year period, as in Attachment 4. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that if this starts in July, then there is a hole in this year's <br /> budget. If that's the case, then the rates will have to go up to make up the hole that will not be <br /> filled for six months. The numbers will have to be recalculated. He would also like to include <br /> setting up a plan to assist the low-income families. He offered a friendly amendment that this <br /> plan be in place by the time the rate increase goes into effect. Commissioner Pellisier and <br /> Commissioner Hemminger agreed with the amendment. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. Lucas Farm at New Hope - Preliminary Plan <br /> The Board considered reviewing and acting upon the Preliminary Plan for Lucas Farm <br /> at New Hope application. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz asked to be excused from the vote because the Rules of Ethics <br /> of the North Carolina Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors prohibit an elected official from <br /> participating in considerations of a project in which he/she has an interest. He has an interest <br /> in this project as a land surveyor. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br /> excuse Commissioner Yuhasz from consideration of this matter. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Planning Supervisor Robert Davis made this presentation. It is located at the northeast <br /> intersection of Old NC 86 and New Hope Church Road, which places it in the rural buffer. The <br /> rural buffer has minimum lot sizes of two acres. This is also located in the Rural Designated <br />