Carroll County Electric Department temporarily cut power to a stretch of Highway 70 west of Huntingdon this past Saturday night to replace aging poles and prepare for the upcoming Leach Substation.
Linemen began working on the project at around 11:30 p.m.
Electric Department Manager Ryan Drewry said the department did the work overnight to minimize the impact on customers.
He explained that the work involved replacing four to five poles, addressing age-related concerns, and resolving clearance issues in preparation for the Leach Substation coming online. A new sectionalizing device tied to the substation will eliminate the need for some of the existing infrastructure in the area.
The Carroll County Rescue Squad and Sheriff’s Department provided traffic support for the overnight operation.
161kV Breakers Arrive for Leach Substation
Drewry reported that the 161kV breakers the department ordered two years ago have finally arrived.
“They’re sitting on our lot down the hill,” he said.
Crews unloaded the two 9,000-pound breakers earlier in the day.
“It was a delicate process,” Drewry noted.
The breakers will be stored until the substation site is ready to receive them.
Drewry said DC Construction is approximately five to six weeks from completing the site work. The work was slowed by rain and the additional undercut required after poor soil conditions were discovered in April.
Once site work wraps up, foundation work will begin.
Board Chooses Local Dealer for Vehicle Purchase
The board approved the purchase of a 2026 Ford F-150 to replace a 2015 company vehicle, but the decision came with some debate.
Three dealers were solicited for bids. Joe Mayhan in Paris did not submit a bid; Steve Marsh came in lowest at $37,398 with trade-in consideration, but with a six-to-eight-week delivery window; and Peppers Ford in McKenzie bid $40,599 with immediate delivery.
Board member John Austin made the case for going with Peppers.
“I just hate to take the business outside the county,” Austin said.
He acknowledged the $3,200 difference but said he still favored the local option. Austin made the motion for Peppers Ford, and the board approved it.
Bad Debt Write-Offs Approved
The board approved the annual fiscal year bad debt write-offs for uncollected accounts.
Write-offs for FY 2026 totaled $85,048.70, up from about $66,000 in 2025.
Drewry said the department measures write-offs as a percentage of electric sales revenue and aims to stay below 0.2%. The current figure came in at 0.17%.
He said that part of the increase to higher average rates of 10.7 cents per kilowatt-hour compared to about 10 cents last year.
Office Manager Kelly Fields said the department’s collection practices have not changed but noted a reduction in LIHEAP funding flowing through, which she believes is contributing to the increase.
Drewry said that nearly all of the write-offs are residential accounts.
Property Owner Returns with Easement Concerns
Property owner Richard Lestienne appeared before the board for a second consecutive month regarding a dispute over utility easements on his property on Old Stage Road.
Lestienne first addressed the board at the May 28 meeting, raising concerns about unannounced access to his property by third-party contractors performing line maintenance.
He told the board that clearing work during turkey season disrupted his use of the property and that he had not been notified in advance.
At the June meeting, Lestienne praised Fields and Drewry for their willingness to work with him.
“It’s actually been a pleasure to work with Miss Fields. She’s been more than accommodating,” Lestienne said. “And Ryan as well. It’s been a pleasure to work with them.”
However, he said he still took issue with comments made at the previous meeting regarding the nature of the easement on his property, which he found offensive.
His remarks were cut short by the two-minute public commenting time limit.
Board Chair Lori Nolen thanked Lestienne for attending and sharing his concerns and indicated the board would continue to look into the matter.
Drewry said the department plans to proactively communicate with Lestienne when future work is scheduled in his area.
Other Business
Board Chair Lori Nolen acknowledged that Governor Lee has signed the Chance Carlton Act into law, officially classifying electrical linemen as first responders in Tennessee.
She also noted the department has introduced magnetic identification signs for contractor vehicles working on behalf of Carroll County Electric, making it easier for customers to identify authorized personnel in the field.
Board member Paul Moore was absent from the meeting. Drewry reported that Moore’s recent surgery went well and that he was expected to be released from the hospital soon.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Electric Department office.