| News Archives |
|
Index to past Articles |
| 2008 News |
| Hoschton Now Offers Online
Payment for Traffic Citations |
(July 28, 2008) Hoschton continues to improve the quality of our
services. We now offer the convenience of online payment
for most traffic citations issued within our city limits.
If you have any questions regarding this service, or if there
are questions about the need to appear in court, contact City
Hall at 706-654-3034.
Click Here To Use Online Payment Tool. |
| Annual Water Quality Report
Available |
|
(July 7, 2008) Hoschton has released the annual Water Quality
Survey which details the status of our water quality.
Some people may be more vulnerable
to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.
Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ
transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system
disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk
from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking
water from their health care providers. EPA / Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen
the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial
contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline
(800-426-4791).
Get your copy of Hoschton's report here. |
| New Industrial Sewer Line
Coming to Hoschton |
|
(July 7, 2008) The Hoschton Mayor and City Council awarded the
contract for adding a new sewer line from the wastewater
treatment plant to Jopena Blvd by way of Nancy Industrial and
Highway 53. Dale Construction is the successful bidder. |
| New Outdoor Water Use
Guidelines |
|
(June 27, 2008)
Beginning June 30th, 2008 all customers connected to
Hoschton or the JCWSA may use outdoor irrigation systems one day
per week between the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00am. The day
by which you can irrigate is determined by the last digit of
your address.
Read Full Details here
Each property owner may also hand water using one garden hose,
25 minutes a day for two additional days, between the hours of
12:00 midnight and 10:00am. Hand watering days are still
restricted by the odd/even system. ● If you have an odd numbered
address you may hand water any two out of three of the following
days: Tuesday Thursday Sunday. ● If you have an even
numbered address you may hand water any two out of three of the
following days: Monday Wednesday Saturday. |
| Scarecrow Workshops |
|
(June 19, 2008) In connection with our annual Fall Festival,
Hoschton has set out to gain recognition in the Guinness Book of
World Records for having the most scarecrows for a single event.
The rules are simple, build a scarecrow and put it on exhibit
somewhere in the Hoschton (30548) mail delivery area.
Get your own copy of the rules and an entry form here.
Toward that end, volunteers are hosting a series of workshops to
teach city folks how to build a scarecrow. There will be
workshops conducted in several locations and you can keep up
with the latest on the
Fall Festival and the Scarecrow competition here. |
| Antique Tractor Event -
November 14 and 15, 2008 |
(June 16, 2008) The
Antique Tractor
Hoedown is growing. The
event will be much larger this year. It will start at noon
on Friday, November 14. The location is at the Town Center
Shopping Center. It will extend into the evening with live
entertainment at the shopping center to include "blue grass"
groups. We are planning Line and Square Dancing events
under the lights on the Shopping Center grounds.
The Tractor Events will start on Saturday morning, November
15, with tractors arriving and organizing early for a Parade in
Hoschton down Highway 53. The parade will begin at 10:00
a. m.
|
| Hoschton Motorcyclists
provided Temporary Storage Space |
|
(June 5, 2008) Two local businesses offered temporary storage for
motorcycles of residents in Deer Creek Farms subdivision.
With repaving underway in Deer Creek Farms, motorcycles are
unable to enter and leave on the gravel roadway. Two local
businesses have offered space for those enthusiasts to store
their bikes in protected spaces while the paving continues.
Doug Buchanan
and
Ed Quirk have both provided space for those enthusiasts to
leave their bikes in safe areas so as to remove the need to
drive along a long stretch of gravel road. Hoschton
appreciates their support of local efforts to improve our
infrastructure. |
| Hoschton Appoints Kristen
Smith as New City Clerk |
|
(May 5, 2008) The Hoschton City Council unanimously approved the
selection of a new city Clerk, Kristen A Smith, at its May
meeting. Kristen has lived in the area for over 17
years, and many already know her from her banking role with
Hamilton State Bank in Hoschton.
Learn More. |
| Jackson County Relaxes Some Water Restrictions |
|
(March 18, 2008) Hoschton follows the Jackson County
Water and Sewer Authority's guidelines for water use.
You can now water your lawn on the odd/even day schedule but
only with a hand-held hose that has an automatic shutoff and
then only for a maximum of 25 minutes, and only between the
hours of midnight and 10:00 in the morning.
Learn More |
|
2007 News
|
| GA EPD requires Hoschton to reduce water consumption by 10 percent beginnig November 1 |
(October 24, 2007) On October 23, Governor Perdue directed the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
(EPD) to modify current surface and ground water withdrawal permits to achieve a 10 percent reduction for permit holders
in the 61 North Georgia counties covered under the Level 4 drought designation. Permit holders are required to reduce
withdrawals by 10 percent as compared with usage for the last winter seaon (12/06-3/07).
Following this, Hoschton received a letter dated October 24 from Dr. Carol Couch, Director, GAEPD, making this mandatory
reduction effective November 1. Usage is to be reported monthly to the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources. Further
information regarding the drought and what you can do to help reduce water consumption is available at
www.conservewatergeorgia.net.
The City strongly encourages all water users to conserve as much as possible. Following are some specific measures
that can be taken to reduce water consumption now:
General
- An average person in the United States uses 125-150 gallons of water per day for cooking, washing, flushing, and watering; this is more than 40 percent over what is needed to accomplish these tasks.
- Never pour clean, unused water down the drain. There are other uses for it.
- Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. Every drop counts!
- Check all plumbing for leaks. Have leaks repaired by a plumber.
- Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
- Install an instant hot water heater on your sink.
- Install a water-softening system only when the minerals in the water would damage your pipes. Turn the softener off while on vacation.Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
Kitchen
- Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded.
- Hand wash dishes by filling two containers - one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
- Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
- Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste or simply dispose of food in the garbage. (Kitchen sink disposals require a lot of water to operate properly).
- Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.
- Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
- Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food. (Most dishwashers can clean soiled dishes very well, so dishes do not have to be rinsed before washing)
- Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave oven.
Laundry
- Operate automatic clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.
Bathroom
- Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models. Note: In many areas, low-volume units are required by law.
- Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed to flush. Place a one-gallon plastic jug of water into the tank to displace toilet flow (do not use a brick, it may dissolve and loose pieces may cause damage to the internal parts). Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts.
- Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.
- Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.
- Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
- Avoid taking baths - take short showers - turn on water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
- Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.
For more information, visit the following sites:
www.droughtjic.org/
www.conservewatergeorgia.net/.
|
| Hoschton and Jackson County move to Level 4 Watering Restrictions |
(September 17, 2007) Effective Monday, September 17, 2007, Jackson County and the City will move to Level 4 Watering Restrictions.
As a courtesy, we have provided the Georgia code covering all watering levels, and detailing all restrictions. We recommend
customers check the Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority website at http://www.jcwsa.com for up to date restrictions.
To view the code, please open the following document:
This download requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program, we have provided
a link to download this free application.
|
| Hoschton and Jackson County move to Level 3 Watering Restrictions |
(June 25, 2007) Effective Monday, June 25, 2007, Jackson County will move to Level 3 Watering Restrictions.
As a courtesy, we have provided the Georgia code covering all watering levels, and detailing all restrictions. We recommend
customers check the Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority website at http://www.jcwsa.com for up to date restrictions.
To view the code, please open the following document:
|
| New Water/Sewer Rates Effective April 2, 2007 |
(April 21, 2007) The City has adopted a new rate schedule for water and sewer service,
effective April 2, 2007. For complete details concerning the new rates, please view the following document:
|
| Georgia EPD Declares Level 2 Drought Statewide |
(April 20, 2007) The Georiga EPD has declared a level 2 drought for the entire state of Georgia.
To view the press release, please view the following document:
This download requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program, we have provided
a link to download this free application.
|
(April 2, 2007) Along with many other cities across the state, Hoschton will be
participating in the 2007 Great American Cleanup and Georgia Cities Campaigns during the month of
April. Hoschton’s participation has been titled “Clean-up, Cookout and Celebrate Hoschton Month”
and will involve a variety of events throughout the month, including replanting and landscaping
on the city square, the collection of outdated electronic equipment and computers for recycling, the
annual disposal of large household items for city residents and a cookout in the new city park to highlight
the role the City plays in contributing to its citizens quality of life.
For the entire press release, including a calendar of events, please view the following document:
|
| Waste Pro to Provide City Residential and Recycling Service Beginning January 29, 2007
|
(January 12, 2007) The City's contract with Allied Waste for collection and recycling of residential
waste is expiring as of the end of January 2006. In response to a recent Request for Proposals for this service,
five proposals were submitted to the City with Waste Pro, Inc. the low bidder. A contract has since been signed with
Waste Pro who will begin picking up residential waste on Monday, January 29 and every Monday thereafter.
Allied's last pick-up will be Friday, January 26.
Waste Pro's low bid was $.54 higher per household than the amount currently charged by Allied. The City is,
therefore, raising the monthly amount billed to each customer by .$50.
Waste Pro will provide new waste containers and recycling bins to each customer before January 29. Except for the
color, they will be the same as the ones used by Allied. Allied will pick up its blue containers on, or shortly after,
January 26 so please leave them at the curb after the January 26 pick-up.
Leaf and limb pick-up will not be included in the normal waste pick-up but can be scheduled with Waste Pro by the
homeowner for a fee paid directly to them. The City will also continue its service of picking up yard waste for a fee.
Call City Hall if you have need for this service.
Large items such as "white" goods (appliances) will be picked up one day a month by Waste Pro for a fee.
Please call City Hall for this service and to obtain a fee schedule.
Side door service will be provided to residents unable to get their containers to the street. If you require this
service, please call City Hall and describe your need.
Finally, Waste Pro will send a brochure to each customer describing its services prior to January 29.
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