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by Joy Warren
Mayor Goldston Womble presented out-going Commissioner E. Donald Smith, Jr. with a resolution acknowledging his service to the community. Smith served 20 years as a Town Commissioner.
Town Clerk Brenda Clark conducted the Oath of Office for Mayor H. Goldston Womble, Jr. Mayor Womble administered the Oath of Office for newly elected Commissioner, Tim Clifton. Clifton has previously served on the Planning and Zoning Board for the Town. Other commissioners also sworn in as Commissioners were Tracey Trivette, and Thomas Riel. Riel was also appointed as Mayor Pro Tempore.
Commissioners were appointed to their departmental duties which included administration (Tracey Trivette); Police (Tim Blount); Fire (Paul Evans); Streets (Mike Suggs); Sanitation (Tim Clifton); and Water/Wastewater (Tom Riel).
A Public Hearing was conducted in regards to a Zoning Map Amendment Request. HDJ Properties, LLC submitted a request to rezone the property located at 292 White Lake Dr. from R1 (Permanent Residential) to R2 (Recreational Residential). Properties abutting the proposed map amendment request are zoned as R2 (Shady Shores) and R1 (David Williams). No public comments were made from any citizens. Joey Taylor and Dean Hilton with HDJ Properties presented plans for several duplex units for the property. Commissioner Blount expressed his reservations regarding duplex units stating that “there are usually more problems with renters vs home owners”. Hilton reminded the Board that he lives in the neighborhood of the proposed units and “you can rest assured that I am looking to improve the property. These units will be high end”. The Board approved the Zoning Amendment request as presented.
In other administrative matters, the Board approved utility releases ($691.46), tax releases ($4,513.37); reappointed Joy Warren and Barbara Hollingsworth to the Planning & Zoning Board of Adjustment; and adopted the Personnel Policy and Classification/Pay Plan as presented.
Mayor Womble noted that the Town received a $900 grant from the Municipal Insurance Trust to go towards the Town’s wellness program that improves employee heath, engagement and productivity.
The Mayor also contacted Cynthia Shaw, Director of Bladen County Board of Elections to request the sale of malt beverages “beer” be placed on the March 2016 Presidential Primary ballot, as approved at the November Board meeting. Town Attorney Clif Hester requested clarification on what the Board was requesting – on site, off site sale of malt beverages and/or wine. He wanted to be clear with the wording that needs to go on the ballot. Much discussion revolved around the difference between a referendum for “beer and wine” as opposed to one for “mixed beverages”. According to Tim Clifton, a referendum for mixed beverages would include on-site and off-site sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine. Mayor Womble pointed out that the request received from Robin Summerlin was not for mixed beverages. The Board approved the verbiage for the referendum to specify on-site and off-site sale of malt beverages and on-site and off-site sale of non-fortified wine. There will be two questions on the ballot, one for “beer” and another for “wine”.
The annual Employee Luncheon will be held on Friday, December 18th at 12:00 in the Public Works Building. In accordance with the Town’s Personnel Policy, the municipal complex will be closed Wednesday – Friday, December 24-26th for Christmas and Friday, January 1st for New Year’s Day. There will be an on-call person available in case of water/sewer emergencies.
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