TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916 NEWS RELEASE - 3 - 25 - 2020

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Aldersonians, Recently,   letters   went   out   (just   like   every   month)   to   those   persons   who   have   not   paid   their   utility   bills.   Our normal billing process will remain in effect. Our   billing   process   will   not   change   due   to   the   pandemic,   however   we   have   means   to   help   those   persons who are directly affected by layoffs or other hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The   reality   is,   that   we   cannot   sustain   operations   if   our   customers   don’t   pay   bills.   We   are   not   a   large corporation   with   large   reserves.   While   we   do   have   reserves,   they   will   not   sustain   indefinitely   into   the future. By the best estimate I can give you, is that we could sustain operations for one month give or take. Monthly,   on   average   about   400   notices   go   out   to   those   persons   who   have   not   paid   their   bill   by   the   due date   (when   the   new   bill   goes   out   those   people   are   one   month   behind   on   billing).   On   average   our   cut   off   list is   between   30-50   customers   who   have   not   paid   by   the   cutoff   date.   We   have   roughly   800   customers   and supply water to roughly 3,000 people. Our largest customer is the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Any   issues   will   be   dealt   with   on   a   case   by   case   basis   with   documentation   of   the   hardship. These   are   trying times   for   us   every   one.   The   economic   downfall,   death   and   illness,   and   strain   on   life   is   serious.   Head   the warnings, stay in, and stay strong in your faith. This too shall pass. May God’s presence be with us all and lead us where we need to be. Travis L. Copenhaver, Mayor