Updated Monday, March 15, 2010, 8:04 a.m.
A task force looking into complaints of high water bills in north Mecklenburg will discuss a wide-ranging final report Monday that is critical of water provider Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities. The task force says CMU failed to comprehensively address problems with water meter radio transmitters, has long operated on a “questionable” business model, and is contemplating future capital projects that could mean more rate hikes for existing customers.

The Water Solution Task Force will present its findings to citizens at a meeting Monday, March 15, at 5 p.m. in the community hall at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. Read the full story

View from atop Cornelius Town Hall shows the intersection of N.C. 115 and Catawba Avenue (foreground). That's the Antiquity development at upper left. (Doug Barrick photo)

Map shows detours for N.C. 115 and Catawba Avenue. Click to enlarge. Download a PDF below.

The new entrance to the Antiquity Cornelius development in downtown Cornelius is expected to open in late April, but utility work beginning next week means the existing intersection will have to close before it can open fully. N.C. 115 will be closed at Catawba Avenue Tuesday, March 16, through Thursday, March 25.

RELATED STORY: “NCDOT to repave Concord and East Rocky River roads.”

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By STEVE HARRISON
The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities said it has shifted 10 employees to help identify and investigate possibly erroneous water bills, but the utility said it’s not planning to speed up the replacement of an electronic transmitter that has caused bad meter readings. Read the full story