By Lance Gaither

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

During the Danville City Commission meeting on Oct. 23, City Manger Earl Coffey addressed concerns brought forth to the commission at the last meeting by Boyle County Magistrate Tom Ellis and residents of Perryville over what they called unnecessary water shutoffs and challenges communicating with the City of Danville Water Department.

“Utility staff have reorganized the cutoff procedure and continued to develop it to where we want it with a real-time cutoff process,” Coffey said. “Field staff and office staff can communicate in real time. There is no waiting on a piece of paper or confirmation. The process will be a significant improvement.”

Coffey went on to emphasize that the industry norm is converting to digital payment systems and that the city still offers in-person, mail and phone payments. He went on to explain that delinquent notices are handled exclusively over the phone.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Perryville resident Darrel Lyons addressed the commission with frustrations he and other residents are experiencing.

“We are not asking anything new, or anything different. We are just disappointed you have taken away the paper disconnection notices,” Lyons said. “A lot of people, myself included, rely on that because we go pay check to pay check and bill to bill. There are a lot of times when we don’t get the bill paid immediately when it is due.”

He said that many people who struggle to pay bills don’t have a reliable phone number and need the paper reminders. He went on to express frustrations with rising costs and leaks not being fixed in Perryville despite being reported nearly two months ago.     

In other news from the meeting, caretaker of the Millennium Park Veterans Memorial Jack Hendricks announced to the commission that a Veterans Day lunch is being held at the Danville National Guard Armory on Friday, Nov. 10. from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Parking is at the Danville Admirals Stadium with golf carts providing transport. Barbecue and fried fish will be served.

“We expect anywhere from 1,000 to 1,200 vets over the three-hour period,” Hendricks said. “Come out, mingle, meet the vets. All this is about is saying thank you to all of our veterans in Boyle County.”

It is the 13th year of the Veterans Day lunch after a three-year hiatus from the pandemic.