Hampton utilities will stay on for duration of Coronavirus emergency

HAMPTON — Hampton residents can rest assured their utilities will not be cut off due to an inability to pay during the COVID-19 state of emergency, according to City Manager Alex Cohilas.

Several residents were upset with a letter they received with their utility bill stating there is no city ordinance that “grants authority to any customer service staff member to unilaterally grant payment extensions for late payment of utility bills. Furthermore, no Hampton customer service staff has the authority to negotiate or ever into agreements with utility customers for repayment of delinquent utility bills. Henceforth, the notice stamped in red at the bottom of each utility will be strictly enforced.”