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.

 

Copyright 2008 © City of Hoschton, GA