The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-05-17
MANTEO BOARD IN
UNITY ON 80 YEAR
VEPCO FRANCHISE
First Reading Passed Monday;
Second Readign Expected
June 10Th: Changeover
Expected July /.

Probability of a change in cleo
trio service in Manteo and on Ro-
anoke Island by July now is in
prospect, since the town Board of
Manteo this week granted the first
reading of the 3O-year franchise
sought by the Virginia Electric and
Power Company. Ray Goodmon,
Company vice president, and Jim
Hamilton, Service manager, ap-
peared before the Manteo Board.
Following considerable explana-
ton by Mr.. Goodmon, and an out
line of problems before the COM
pany, in making the change-over,
the franchise was read in full, and
on motion of G. T. Westcott, Sec
onded by Sam Midget, the first
reading Of the document was APP
proved by the Board.
The second reading, which is ex-
pected to transpire at the regular
meeting of the Board will be held
on June 10th, and is necessary to
put it in full force and effect.
Mr.. Goodmon stated that many
changes in the system will be made
Immediately after Vepco takes
over. Taller poles will be installed
in Manteo, and other parts of Ro-
anoke Island. A survey has been
arranged for without expense to
the town, looking toward installa-
ton of a more modern type of
street lighting.
1t was stated that rebuilding of
the lines would be carried out
without interrupting service.
Several new employees are ex-
pected to come to Manteo to estab-
lish residence shortly afterward
Three employees of Roanoke Utili-
ties will be retained in the employ
ment of Vepco, these being Ray
mond Wescott, Mrs. Mabel Bas-
night and Earl Green.
The Company expects to estab-
lish temporary business offices
downtown, and will arrange fol-
construction of a depot, which in
cludes a yard for poles, shop
and transformer platform.
1t was understood at the Board
meeting that the franchise grant.
ed was conditioned on the final
contamination of the sale of the
system to Vepco by the Roanoke
Utilities.
Roanoke Island electricity users
may expect a decrease in their
monthly bills when the public util-
ity here is taken over by VEPCO
Purchase of the system by Vepcc
of Roanoke Utilities Company, was
authorized last week by the State
Utilities Commission in Raleigh.
In approving the sale for $780,.
900, the Commissions order stated
that VEPCO had offered a fail
price for the system and that "best
interests of the people of Roanoke
Island would be served by allowing
VEPCO, which has ample financial
resources to extend and improve
the. service :"
Roanoke Utilities has served the
lrea for 80 years. 1t purchases its
total electric energy requirement
from VEPCO at wholesale and dis.
tributes it to some $40 customers
residing on Roanoke Island.
The Commission estimated that
subscribers to electric service on
Roanoke Island through the appli-
cation of VEPCO rates would real
ize an annual overall savings of
from $4,000 to $4,000 on present
killowatt-hour consumption.
VEPCO officials said they ex-
uected to establish a working force
in Manteo which in short time
would reach a $4,000 annual pay
roll. They stated they expect to
start to rebuild the entire system,
md at the end of two years it
would be completely new.