UTILITIES

PSA votes to raise water, sewer rates

The Montgomery County Public Service Authority's board of directors voted unanimously Monday night to approve new water and sewer rates.

Water rates will increase 2.5 percent, from $6.63 to $6.80 per 1,000 gallons used.

Sewer rates will increase 5 percent, from $6.63 to $6.96 per 1,000 gallons. And the sewer flat rate also will increase 5 percent from $40 to $42 a month.

Rate increases were necessary because revenues haven't kept pace with expenses because of increases in bulk water rates, purchased sewage treatment costs, fuel and electric costs and other items, according to the PSA's proposal.

The PSA has not had a rate increase for those costs since July 2007, county spokeswoman Ruth Richey said.

The increases will take effect July 1.

-- Lerone Graham

BUSINESS

Big Lots' move now planned for June 18

The Christiansburg Big Lots retail store is scheduled to open in the Spradlin Farms shopping center June 18, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

Signs at the new storefront had reported as late as this weekend that the store would open there Thursday. The news release gave no explanation for the discrepancy.

The move of the Christiansburg store from the Market Place Shopping Center a few blocks away is just one of about 80 new stores the retailer is planning to open this year, according to the news release.

The former location has been winding down for weeks with a liquidation sale.

-- The Roanoke Times

PULASKI COUNTY

PSA receives reports of sewer line scams

Scam artists are suspected of posing as contractors or Pulaski County employees and offering fraudulent services to residents in the Dublin area.

The scam takes advantage of a Pulaski County Public Service Authority sewer line installation project going on in Dublin to persuade homeowners to go along, according to PSA news release.

No county employee is authorized to perform work for private landowners, and residents should use caution in hiring a contractor to connect their home to the new sewer lines.

County officials recommend that residents ask for written estimates, as well as business cards and phone numbers from several contractors, the release stated. Do not pay in advance for service.

Residents should always verify that a contractor has a business license.

After a formal bid notice and procedure, the PSA has hired a few different contractors to install main lines and pump stations within the subdivisions. Homeowners are responsible for hooking up their sewer line lateral to the main line from their home.

The county does not endorse or recommend a particular contractor to perform this type of work, the release stated.

If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam, file a report with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department by calling 980-7805.

-- The Roanoke Times

GILES COUNTY

Narrows department to get new fire truck

The town of Narrows will receive a $266,610 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Agency to buy a new pumper truck for its fire department.

The low-interest loan was announced Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon.

The 2011 model truck will replace a vehicle that is nearly 30 years old and no longer certified for use in fighting structure fires, the news release stated.

-- The Roanoke Times