The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-03-29
VOTERS TO DECIDE MAY 9TH
If MANTEO SHALL COMIC
ELECTRIC POWER BUSINESS
tentative Cost Suggested as $40, 900 Necessary
# New System is Erected; Twe Aldermen Pur-
sue Search For Information About Possible
Profits; Roanoke Utilities Asked to Give Infor-
nation.

The citizens Of Manteo will have
the opportunity on May 7th at
the town election, which also pass
es on candidates for Mayor and
Aldermen, to decide if the town
shall put up the money to go into
the electric power and light bust
ness to serve the 225 customers
now served by the Roanoke Util-
tiles.
On Tuesday of this week, infor-
nation of action taken at a called
meeting of the Manteo town board
was given out that the Board
would pass this decision on to the
people. Meanwhile, a survey is be-
ing completed by o. ]. McColl, an
engineer with the contracting firm
of Mechanical Engineering Co. of
Norfolk to determine the cost of
installing the system, and the pos
sible profits it might yield the
town.
On the basis of the incomplete
survey, it is tentatively stated that
a new system of poles and wires
could be installed for about $40,-
900. The town board this week sent
a letter to the Roanoke Utilities
Company, requesting the board be
furnished among other informa-
ton, breakdown of revenue this
company receives each month from
each of its customers in Manteo.
This request is being first referred
to its attorney and auditor by the
company before a reply is given.
Two aldermen, NJ. L. Daniels,
Jr. and S. E. Midget took the ini-
tiative some weeks ago, and defer
ring action on request from the
| Virginia Electric & Power Co.
which is willing to take over and
buy the Roanoke Utilities holdings
on Roanoke Island, provided they
can get a usual 30-year franchise,
and get the approval of the Federal
Power Commission, and the State
Utilities Commissions of North
Carolina, Virginia and West Vir-
ginia, in which states this COM
pany operates.
The North Carolina Commission,
having been requested for a rul-
ing on this proposition has given
notice that it expects to hold a
hearing in the courthouse in Man
teo, at 10 am. on Tuesday, April
18th whereby the consumers of
electricity on Roanoke Island may
have an opportunity to express
their wishes in regard to the pro-
posed transfer of property. On the
entire island, some S75 customers
are served by Roanoke Utilities,
and of these, 225 or about one
fourth, are situated in the corpor-
ate limits of the town.
1t is the one fourth of the Roa-
noke Utilities customers, which Mr..
Daniels and Mr.. Midget believe
pay for from 80 to 40 per cent of
the current sold on the entire sys-
tenn. On the assumption that the
consumers in Manteo pay 80 per
cent of the money received by the
local utility, the annual gross sales
would be about $4,000 year.
To stack up against the $40,-
COO investment required to serve
these customers, would be the cost
of operation, depreciation, repairs
cost of electricity if purchased of
VEPCO at wholesale rates now
prevailing, retirement of bonds
and interest.
One citizen calls attention of this
newspaper to the probability that
the consumers would not be will
ing for even the town to charge
rates which are now in effect, but
would clamor for the lower rate
which is being expected soon. It is
estimated that the proposed cut in
rates, would reduce the above esti-
mated $4,000 to only $4,000 an
nual return.
Figures furnished this newspap-
er indicate that the town of Man
teo under normal conditions and at
present costs, would have to derive
its profit after deducting fixed an
nual estimated expenses as fol-
lows:
Cost of electricity $40, 900
Interest on bonds at SO 2.OOO
Retirement of bonds .a..,...... 1000
depreciation --,.,..-,....-.... 1000
---.-----s---- ..DIO,VUU
II this were all the expense. then
there would be a profit of So, 1000
If current is sold at present high
rates, and $4,000 if sold at the rates
now promised under other opera
ton.
We began TO check On thasa as+;.