BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

KERMIT, W.Va. — With no funding in place to build a customer notification system, Kermit officials are facing a state mandate they say they cannot afford.

Mayor Charles Sparks informed the Town Council earlier in July that the West Virginia Public Service Commission issued an order requiring all public utilities, including Kermit Water, to develop and submit detailed outage communication plans.

The order, issued July 9, gives utilities just 30 days to submit a plan for how they will comply with a new state law that took effect July 10.

Under the law, utilities must notify customers of both planned and unexpected service disruptions through email, text messages or other electronic methods. Each plan must include advance notification procedures, methods of communication and estimated restoration times.

“It’s something that we’ve got to do,” Sparks said. “I don’t know what they’ll do to us if we don’t. It doesn’t say what the penalty is.”

Councilman Doug Collins recalled that 911 services once offered automated calls but noted there was a per capita charge.

“I don’t know if it’s still that way,” he said. “I’ll check on it.”

Councilman J.W. Endicott supported the purpose of the order but questioned the burden on small towns like Kermit.

“It’s a good idea, but at the same time, they should fund it somehow,” Endicott said.

Sparks compared the situation to fire hydrant maintenance, another costly obligation.

“You’ve got to inspect them, do this, do that, replace them, but you’ve got no money to do that,” said Sparks. “You’re on your own.”

The discussion turned briefly to hydrants in need of repair, with Collins noting problems at Western Auto and Truist Bank. Sparks added Forrest Place to the list.

Collins estimated hydrant replacement costs to be between $12,000 and $15,000. He also recommended that the fire department inspect all hydrants to ensure they are functioning correctly.