5.23% Transfer Recommended.

The Carthage Water and Electric Plant Board voted last Thursday to recommend that the transfer of funds from the utility to the City be fixed at 5.23% of billed revenue. The City also currently receives an average of 1.9% of total billed revenue in the form of the PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Tax) charge. Their recommendation would not affect rates currently in place for customers of the utility. The recommendation will need the approval of the full Council.

The transfer and PILOT combined amount has been set at a fixed amount of $1,108,000 for the last several years. Over time the PILOT revenue, collected by CW&EP for the City as a percentage of utility bills, has increased as total revenues for the utility have increased. The result has been that the transfer amount has therefore decreased. The recommendation of the Board would put both the transfer and the PILOT on a percentage basis and the City revenue would rise or fall along with the utility revenues.

Some members of the Council have indicated they would prefer a six to seven percent transfer rate.

He-e-e-ere turkey, turkey turkey.

They always say that the day after Thanksgivin’ is the biggest shoppin’ day of the year. I’m sure all the local merchants are gearin’ up to be ready.

I typically, on the other hand, am engaged in those "have to" projects scheduled for last spring. If it turns out ta be a bad weather day, so much the better. Nothin’ like eatin’ leftovers and nappin’ on the couch after the day of thanks.

Fact is, prob’ly the most thankful most folks are is the fact that Thanksgivin’ always comes on a Thursday.

‘Course the fact that the Friday is a big retail day means a lotta folks are at work to take care of customers. If you’re on the shopper end of this equation, you might thank the clerk for showin’ up on the job.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Snow Shoveling Basics

Q: I just moved from Georgia to a northern state, and this winter looks like it’s going to be a cold one. I’ve heard snow shoveling can be dangerous. Why is this, and how do I clear snow safely from my driveway? — Joseph C., Manchester, N.H.

A: Snow shoveling can be dangerous because the job often requires huge exertion, which sometimes leads to heart attacks in less-than-fit shovelers. There’s also the risk of slipping, which can lead to injuries from a fall, and of course, there are the sore muscles and numb extremities that every shoveler risks.

To stay as safe as possible, warm up before tackling the snowdrifts in your driveway. Do a few jumping jacks, stretch thoroughly, do whatever it takes to bring your heart rate up gently. Then, dress in layers: long underwear (avoid cotton, which doesn’t "wick" moisture away from your skin), water-repellent pants or ski pants, a warm sweater and a water-resistant coat or parka. Wear a cap, gloves and water-resistant, nonskid boots. Layers can be removed or added depending on how cold or warm you get while outside, allowing you to set your comfort level.

Don’t allow yourself to get either too hot or too cold while working outside. Get too warm and sweat will soak your clothes; the chill air will cool that water down rapidly, posing a risk of hypothermia. So, if you are sweating profusely, go inside, take off the cold-weather gear, and have a glass of water. If you feel chilled even as you work, do the same thing — then have a cup of hot tea or cocoa to help warm up.

I probably don’t need to tell you this, but for safety’s sake, don’t drink alcohol before or immediately after shoveling snow. Not only are you at risk for hypothermia, but drunk guys waving big snow shovels just aren’t funny.

OK — how do you actually shovel the snow? Here are three tips: Keep your back straight, bend your knees, and scoop only small amounts of snow onto the shovel.

Start shoveling at the end of your driveway, and work your way in. Rest the shovel on the ground in front of the drift you want to tackle, and then slide the shovel forward to scoop snow into it. When the shovel is half-filled (or less), lift it up just a few inches and dump the snow to the side of the driveway.