Monday night, Rocky Mount city leaders rejected another pause on disconnections for people behind on their power bills. The move comes just a week after a Rocky Mount family was found dead in their home.
That family, the Swanns, was also at the center of comments from more than a dozen Rocky Mount residents, who vented both their grief and frustration over months of billing issues.
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The three members of the Swann family were found dead on August 3rd. Their lights had been cut off, and they were using a generator. Officials are investigating whether that generator may have played a role in their deaths.
“Perhaps carbon dioxide was the culprit, but not without complicity,” said Nehemiah Smith, a Rocky Mount pastor.
“We can open our mouths and speak up because we don't want somebody else to die because they don't have utilities or can't afford to pay for utilities,” said Dorothy Cook, another Rocky Mount resident.
Nearly 200 customers in Rocky Mount are without power as WRAL meteorologists forecast highs in the mid-90s this week, with heat index values about 10 degrees higher. On Monday, WRAL News learned that city representatives are headed to a conference at a luxury hotel in Virginia as hundreds of residents remain without power.
During Monday’s meeting, council member TJ Walker floated the idea of an emergency utility assistance fund for some of the hundreds of people in Rocky Mount who’ve fallen behind on their electric bills. He then proposed a new moratorium on disconnections for delinquent customers.
Walker described the ideas as the right thing to do
Only the moratorium received a vote. Council rejected it 6-2, citing a lack of specific information and the potential financial impact on the city.
“Let’s be truthful about all utility systems. What utility system in North Carolina will keep your power on for two months, three months, four months, without payment, without additional charge or cost?” said councilor Reuben Blackwell.
“I stand by the council's decision,” said Mayor Sandy Roberson. “I think it's right to maybe defer this to get better information. I suspect that we'll probably end up in a special called meeting either next week or this week, and so we'll see what happens.”
Roberson also said city manager Elton Daniels is continuing to look into the city’s bill payment policies.
“He's reviewing the policy hopefully to bring something to council if he feels like there's a need to change that,” said Roberson.