By Erin Smith
The Bladenboro Town Board met on Monday evening and voted to approve an application for a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant for McClean Park.
The PARTF grant would be used for improvements to the park in a Phase II plan for the park. The plans call for paving the parking lot, adding a gravel overflow parking area, a walking trail with a playground, a horseshoe court, tether ball, playground area, picnic shelter, and another ball field. The plans also call for funding for lighting for both ball fields, according to Town Administrator John O’Daniel.
In other matters, Pat Hasbrouck appeared before the board to discuss the condition of the shrubbery at the Bridger Memorial Library.
“This is a perfect time before spring to confront the library landscaping opportunity,” said Hasbrouck.
She noted the shrubbery around the library is in need of pruning, planting of new shrubs, and new mulch. Hasbrouck said the shrubbery is overgrown so that patrons cannot see the outside box for book return.
She said presented a list with the suggestions to the board for their future consideration.
In other business:
* The board voted to approve a $250 per month pretreatment program administration charge.
* The board voted to wait on reviewing funding options for lighting at the McClean Park ball field until they learn if the PARTF grant is approved as it also has a funding for lighting.
* The board was updated on the addition of the PARTF park plans to the town’s 20-year Capital Improvement Plan.
* The board voted to appoint Town Commissioner Jeff Atkinson to the Lumber River Council of Government board.
* The board voted to approve using money from the town’s General Fund to cover the costs of the Elm Street Project. The project will consist of water and sewer upgrades, tree cutting and paving. Town Administrator John O’Daniel told the board the cost for the water and sewer project is expected to be $70,000. The town has not gotten any quotes for the tree cutting and paving.
The board was also given the option of requesting approval from the Council of Government for a loan but the board opted to fund the project using town money.
* O’Daniel also included in the board packet an article regarding Open Meetings laws.
* The board met for one hour and fifteen minutes in closed session to address personnel matters. When the board returned to open session, they voted to hire Frankie Taylor as a general maintenance worker at a rate of $21,484 and the board voted 3 to 2 to move Police Officer Tim Hester to a Grade 11 Step 4.
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