AUTRYVILLE — The town board has voted unanimously to allow one local home renter to turn on his water, even though the owners of the property have chosen not to pay their utilities in the past.

Mayor Pat Williams expressed to the town board that the renter, David Malbery, had contacted her about turning on water at his home. In knowing that the owners still owed money to the town, it placed the town leader in a conundrum with regards to whether the town should allow the request.

“I talked with our town attorney, Sandy Sanderson, about the water bill being past due, and he said we could not deny water to him if he rented the house,” Williams explained.

Commissioner Ronald Long then questioned to whom the original utility bills have been going.

“We have been billing the girls,” said Williams.

She then added that if the Nelson family decided to move back into the house, the town could take up the water meter and charge $750 for having the meter replaced. Right now, the tenant is only required to pay the deposit for water.

However, the mayor noted that if the tenant chose not to pay, then they could take the water meter up.

Commissioner Grover Autry argued that he didn’t think it was appropriate to allow the water to be turned on, knowing the owners still owed the town back payments.

“Once the meter is there, it is the property of the town,” said Autry.

Williams said despite Autry’s concerns, the town is legally responsible for turning the water on. “If he rents, then we have to give it to him,”Williams reiterated.

The mayor then asked for a motion for the tenant’s water to be turned on. Commissioner Mickey Spell provided the motion. Long seconded it, and it was approved unanimously.

Recycling plans

The issue of how the town plans to implement the state’s new recycling plan is still up in the air.

The law, in effect now since Oct. 1, has been a concern of residents and the commissioners. In previous months, the board has weighed the use of separate and clear bags for recycling items and to enter into a contract with Waste Industries. Currently, the town has been picking up all trash and recycling in the municipality.

Tuesday night, the board opted to delay any decision on whether to accept a proposal by Waste Industries since newly elected commissioner William Holden had not had a chance to read the trash company’s proposal.

“Y’all study it and next month we will decide,” said Williams.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.