Clayton Town Council voted to raise electric rates by one penny per kilowatt-hour at its June 28 meeting.

“It is my recommendation that we raise our PPAC one penny to recoup some of the losses,” said Councilman Bob Berghorn.

The town’s electrical consultant recommended that the town raise the purchased power adjustment cost  (PPAC) by 1.16 cents, said Town Foreman Jeff Hurlock and Mayor Wayne Stover.

“We didn’t particularly want to raise them, but everything is going up—fuel costs and everything,” Stover said.

The town’s electric provider, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC), has is charging Clayton about 2 cents more per kilowatt-hour, Hurlock said.

“We’re only recouping about half the increase,” he said. “We’re going to go through the budget and see where we can save.”

The average customer in Clayton, who uses about 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, will see an increase of about $10, Hurlock said.

Streetlights being installed

In other Town of Clayton news, Hurlock said four streetlights will be installed in Providence Crossing.

At the June 14 meeting, Providence Crossing resident Christopher Strickler told council members he was concerned about lighting in the neighborhood.

Clayton gets new police car

Chief of Police Brian Hill said the town’s new police car has arrived.

The 2009 Mercury Crown Victoria, at a cost of approximately $21,8000, replaces the Dodge Durango driven by Corporal Todd Michelau during a crash in March.

P&Z approves minor subdivision

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the subdivision of one lot into two lots at the corner Dickerson Street and Smyrna Avenue. The property owner plans to build a house on each lot.

The council will be asked to confirm the commission’s recommendation at the next meeting.
“It did meet all of the requirements,” Hurlock said.

Town attorney being deployed

Town Attorney Scott Chambers announced at the meeting that he will be deployed with the Delaware Army National Guard for 12 months, beginning in October.

While he is gone, other attorneys from his firm will fill in as needed by the town.

“I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” he said.