NHIA Community Watch and EMS Meeting
Thursday, July 17
7PM to 8PM

 New Hope Improvement Association Building
4012 Whitfield Road
Chapel Hill, NC  27514

Join Us in Supporting the Efforts of our
Law Enforcement & Critical Life Response Teams

Thanks to PSNC Energy for presenting a Q & A session on bringing natural gas into area neighborhoods.

Shane Currin is the new dedicated Chapel Hill PSNC Sales Representative who spoke to the 26 people who came to learn how they can get natural gas into their homes.  Shane encouraged folks to get their neighborhood to document their interest by filling out a questionnaire.  If enough people in a neighborhood are interested then he will come out to individuals’ homes and start the several-months’ process to extend natural gas “main” lines to service the area.  Questionnaires can be filled out online at psncenergy.com/form or postage-free postcards can be picked up from the folder on the NHIA Community Room covered porch.

To be cost effective for PSNC to run natural gas into a neighborhood, there needs to be 75%-85% of the people on the street willing to sign-up for heat and hot water within a year of running the lines. Other appliances like stoves, grills, fireplace logs, dryer, gas lights, etc. are considered enhancements as they do not supply steady revenue.  If a “main” is installed in front or beside your home then PSNC will include up to 200 feet of line from their “main” to the customer’s home (there is an up to $10.80 / foot fee if farther than 200 feet).  If you are on a side street with no “main” then PSNC would include 100 feet of line towards your lot and 100 feet to  the house with the customer paying up to the $10.80 / foot difference.

Most propane appliances are convertible to natural gas.  Appliances that are not convertible are (1) old hot water heaters with tanks (some made in the past 5 years have adapters), (2) most fireplace logs, and (3) space heaters.

Heating and hot water for a 2000-sqft house averages $50 per month when using natural gas.

People went away from the meeting learning that they have a dedicated contact at PSNC and that neighborhoods need to be proactive in getting their neighbors to complete a questionnaire to request bringing service to their area.  (Diane and Mike Doub will be canvassing our Mimosa neighbors to try the “grass roots” approach.)

The Unique Plant, Inc. offered the New Hope Improvement Association (NHIA) community a special workshop on Deer-Resistant Gardening. Owner Joann Currier showed us many varieties of plants for both sun and shade garden locations. (Her recommendations are included below.)

The plants all shared general characteristics such as (1) fuzzy or thorny, (2) odorous, or (3) not palatable / poisonous to deer.

We also were treated with a scenic stroll on winding paths through the picture perfect grounds and nursery located at 4207 Oak Hill Road in Chapel Hill.

Many thanks to Joann and The Unique Plant!

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Click to view recommended plants

Due to the unfavorable weather forecasted for tonight and tomorrow night, our Deer-Resistant Gardening Workshop at The Unique Plant has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 6th, at 7 pm.  Hope to see you then!