LAPEL — Lapel Town Council voted to spend an estimated $240,000 to expand the town’s natural gas service area while at the same time raising utility connection fees for new customers.

The utility decisions were among several topics discussed at a recent council meeting.

Council President Deb Wainscott and Clerk-Treasurer Dennis Molina met with a representative of USDI, a Midwest engineering and utility services firm, to discuss expanding gas service south from town to County Road 700 South.

The project area will include recently annexed areas of Lapel and will enable service to future residential and business customers.

An initial quote puts the cost of the work, which includes installation of pipes, at about $240,000.

The work is expected to take up to two months to complete, town officials said.

The town also approved increased utility tap fees for new residential customers. The fee for new gas service will rise from $495 to $750; for water, it rises from $690 to $1,000; and for sewer, it rises from $945 to $1,250.

A spreadsheet created by the town shows the new tap hook-up fees for Lapel residents are comparable or lower than many fees in similar-size towns.

Residents in Pittsboro, for example, pay $950 for a gas hook-up, $1,265 for a water hook-up and $2,300 for a sewer tap.

In other business, town leaders discussed the appearance of the town’s water, which many residents have complained has a brown tint.

Town officials believe the discoloration may be caused by the use of the State Road 13 well, which is being used more heavily now because the Ford Street well water level dropped off.

The council previously said repeated tests of the water show is safe to use and drink; the town said it is looking into how it can get rid of the discoloration.

The council also recently reviewed a document provided by engineering and architecture firm RQAW concerning a request to build a crematorium at Keller Mortuary.

Business owner Mike Keller answered several questions from council members about adding the crematorium, and Scott Hersberger and Rob Loose, who run similar businesses in town, also spoke.

Hersberger said he had concerns there could be an unwanted odor or smoke factor created that might detract from nearby businesses and restaurants.

Loose agreed with Hersberger, noting that at times with his crematorium there is an odor and smoke.

Loose also said the system can be noisy and also noted if a body comes in a body bag, there is smoke associated with burning the bag compared to a box.

The request to build the crematorium later went to the Lapel Planning Board, where it was not well received.

Keller presented his proposal for the crematorium at 801 N. Main St. and asked for a special use permit to build the crematorium in the building, which he currently rents.

The system Keller Mortuary wants to use, Keller said, is designed to be odor- and smoke-free, but he could not guarantee either when questioned by board members.

The noise level was expected to be similar to that of an air conditioner, but the noise levels may fluctuate.

Several restaurant owners voiced concerns and said they did not want the crematorium, fearing it would dissuade customers from eating at their establishments.

The board expressed its desire to find a solution but decided not to support the development.

Several board members suggested finding another location in Lapel that was not so close to restaurants.