West Newsmagazine 11-1-23

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November 1, 2023
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I NEWS I 13
Charter Communications settlement funds still under debate in Wildwood
By CATHY LENNY
While Wildwood Mayor Jim Bowlin is
determined to use the class action settlement
funds from Charter Communications
on trash refunds, some council members
have different ideas.
Under the proposed trash rebate program,
the city would allocate $1 million to offset
trash collection costs for residents. Specifically,
it would collaborate with the city’s
two service providers, Republic Services
and Gateway Disposal, to reduce the bills
for residents for one year.
During the program’s 12-month duration,
Republic Services customers would get a
23.77% reduction on their monthly bills,
while Gateway Disposal customers would
receive a 17.65% decrease.
that there are between 500 and 750 homes
left to service and prices have gone up.
Bowlin suggested there could be other
means to provide for the installation of
Phase 2 of the internet project, such as with
remaining ARPA funds of $810,000, allocating
line items in the budget, or by taking
it from reserve funds of $28 million.
Council member Debra Smith
McCutchen (Ward 5) brought up the potential
for BEAM (Broadband Equity, Access
and Deployment) money from the state.
However, Lee said those funds would have
to be applied for and wouldn’t be available
until September 2024.
Council member Larry Brost (Ward
1) questioned what amount the reserves
should be.
“I want to see something that quantifies
what we need as a city,” he said. “I don’t
mind earmarking for internet because
internet is our number one goal for the city,
and we all decided that.”
Council member Scott Ottenberg (Ward
3) made another motion to postpone the
vote one month, to get more information
on the reserve accounts.
The vote was 9-6 in favor of postponing.
Following the work session, Bowlin said,
“I am committed to smaller government,
and we should not keep excess money just
because the opportunity exists. The class
action settlement is in addition to those
funds we have already determined to be
available to complete our strategic plan for
at least the next four years.”
Freezing weather is coming!
“The money came
from Spectrum
(Charter), let’s use
it to finish what we
started on internet
expansion.”
– Council member Lauren Edens
Each household would save approximately
$91 over a 12-month period.
If approved, the city could either make
a single lump-sum payment to each of the
haulers or disburse payments to them on a
quarterly basis.
Council member Katie Dodwell (Ward
4) believes the funds would be better spent
for repairs to city hall or maintenance for
the parks, as there is no parks fund or parks
tax.
“Every municipality in the area is currently
dealing with a raised cost (for trash)
or will be the next time they issue a contract,”
Dodwell noted.
Council member Lauren Edens (Ward 2)
is still pushing for expanding internet.
“Ward 2 was left out of the internet
expansion Phase 1 contract, and I’ve got
residents that are on hot spots,” Edens said.
According to the contract, Phase 2 cannot
start until Phase 1 is completed.
“The money came from Spectrum (Charter),
let’s use it to finish what we started on
internet expansion,” Edens said.
She made a motion to do just that.
City Administrator Tom Lee said he
expects the second phase of internet
expansion to cost $3 to $4 million, given
Slips and falls affect us all.
Frost, ice and snow are particularly dangerous for our seniors.
If you slip, give us a call!
95% of our rehab residents return to home.
EXPERTS IN DEMENTIA CARE
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636-537-3333 | CHESTERFIELD
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