Meeting in regular session last week, the Vanceburg City Council approved the second reading of the new sanitation ordinance that includes the recycling program, complete with rate changes.

The new rate for residential trash pickup will be $15 per month with a $3 discount to those who properly use the Rosie recycling containers that will be delivered to each residence free of charge.

The rate for senior citizens will be $9.50 per month with the same $3 discount applying to residents who recycle according to the directions.

The monthly rate for small businesses will be $12. The rates for commercial and industrial customers remain unchanged.

The new rates go into effect July 1.

Mayor William T. Cooper explained that each recycling container would hold all the recyclable material in built-in compartments and only one container is necessary. He also assured Scott that he and his wife would receive the senior citizens discount plus the additional $3 discount if they recycle properly.

Council gave first reading to the budget for fiscal year 2003-04. It totals $775,626.

The mayor highlighted some additions to the budget. He said that the general fund has $150,000 earmarked for a new fire truck and $100,000 set aside for the renovation of the old Commercial Hotel.

The street department has $10,000 reserved for paving.

Blaine Randles, general manager of the Adelphia Cable's Chillicothe/Portsmouth office, appeared at last week's city council meeting to discuss the status of the cable system.

He said that Vanceburg's system has a 30-volt power supply. The February ice storm left a guy wire down, the tower is leaning, and an antenna is damaged. Repairs, he said, are in progress.

Randles said the company will upgrade the system within the next 45 days and plans to add seven new channels. They are ESPN2, the Food Network, Lifetime, Fox News, the Home and Garden Channel, FX (mostly NASCAR races) and Trinity Broadcasting (a religious channel). The additional services are the result of surveys taken among Vanceburg customers.

He explained that 200MHz amplifiers are being retrofitted with 550MHz amplifiers. All old cable will be replaced. The 30-volt power supplies will be upgraded to 60-volt power supplies throughout the system.

"Between the cable, the electronics and the power supplies, this system in 45 days will look remarkably different," Randles said.

He said that all the labor would be done in-house with no outside contractors involved.

Randles also announced that beginning July 1 the basic rate would increase from the current $31,25 to $33.75.

At the June 2 meeting of the Vanceburg City Council Blaine Randles, general manager of the Chillicothe/Portsmouth office of Adelphia Cable, explained the rate increase and planned improvements to the local cable system.

The mayor complained about the rates being increased before any improvements are ever made.

Cooper said that he city could complain to the FCC about the poor service from Adelphia but has been very patient and has not yet done so. He added that Vanceburg gets much less for the customers' money than other communities get.

Randles replied that he would pass that message on to his superiors.

The move makes federal aid available to areas damaged from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes between May 7 and 27, including the tornado that struck on May 10.

Lewis County is among 32 counties designated for individual federal assistance. People who suffered losses can apply for help by calling 800-621-3362 (those who are hearing or speech impaired should call 800-462-7585).

No Emergency Conservation Program funds are currently available but will be requested after sign-up ends on July 8 and on-site inspections are completed.

Available practices include fencing, debris removal, grading and shaping and repair of conservation structures such as pond dams, waterways and the like.