Two bids for a paving project funded by Powell Bill Funds created some debate at Monday’s town meeting in Bladenboro. The disagreement was on which areas should be priority for paving. Paving at a public housing area or at a “tax paying citizens” road was the argument.
Item number 6 on the town’s agenda was the consideration of paving bids for Harmony Drive.
Mayor Rufus Duckworth annouced two bids were submitted for the job of paving Harmony Drive. The first bid was from Legion Asphalt for $16,244.00. The second bid was from a local company, Sykes Paving, coming in at $20350.00.
Billy Benson moved to accept the lowest bid, Gene North made the second motion. The vote was then open for discussion.
Commissioner Sarah Benson spoke up to say, “I can’t comprehend to save my life. Why we gonna pave Harmony Homes when we’ve got streets that look like we’ve got that we’ve got tax paying citizens on?”
Benson the asked, “What does Harmony Homes bring to this town?” She also said, “These people in the apartments are not bringing a single thing to the table.” She went on to say, “Why are we not gonna look out for our own tax paying people before we jump out there and pave the projects?”
Commissioner Billy Ray Benson explained his opinion, “I feel like the people in the Harmony Homes, they buy groceries here, they buy gas here, they eat here, they are part of Bladenboro just as good as everybody else.” Benson went on to say, ”Just because they are a lower class people and have to have help, that we shouldn’t be holding that against them.”
It was stated that the time for discussion on this matter was last month, whereas Commissioner Sarah Benson said she was against it then as she is against it now.
A vote was taken and the item passed 3 to 2.
Other topics discussed at the Monday, April 10th meeting:
– Boost the Boro, Inc requests funding for landscape
– Concerns over a burned house were made by a citizen.
Charles Benton, a resident of Bladenboro, stepped up to voice his concerns about a burned out house on the corner of 5th and Bladen. Mr. Benton stated that over a year ago, he came to the board with his concerns and was told that nothing could be done until an investigation was finished. Mr. Benton stated that he spoke to Police Chief and the investigation has been finished for a year now. Nothing has been done and he would like the board to consider doing something about it.
– The first Public Hearing was the Proposed Leaf & Grass Ordinance. First to speak on this matter was Don White. He told the board that he thought it was a welcome sight to see the street sweeper out a few weeks ago.
White then stated that he was in favor of the Leaf & Grass Ordinance, feeling that it will improve the drainage situation. He stated that if the property owners were required to bag grass or pile it on the street, it is important for the town to keep the gutters clean.
Charles Benton also spoke his thoughts on the condition of Grass Street. He stated that he believes the trucks from the JC Pallet Co., has torn the street to pieces and he wishes that there was a way to make the pallet company fix it. He stated this should be addressed.
Item number one, Consideration of Leaf & Grass Ordinance, was passed.
– The second Public Hearing was the Proposed Ashe Street Signage.
Opening with his comments was Mr. Dan Hester. He stated that he appreciates the patrol on Ashe Street and thinks that the extra patrol has helped. He noted that many of his neighbors were present tonight and a lot of his neighbors had children on that street. Hester hopes that the board considers the Ordinance carefully and states his favor for the Ordinance.
Next up to speak was resident Don White. He stated that he was in favor of the signage. He sees cars traveling 40 to 50 miles per hour. He would like to see a stop sign on Poplar Street, Bladen Street and White Street, Bladen Street being a 4 way stop and White Street being a 3 way stop.
Ricky Hunt then stepped up to express his opposition to the Ordinance. Hunt feels that the noise level will go up with the cars stopping and starting. He also is concerned that stopping or slowing down people would give them time to look around, which may lead to an escalation of the number of thefts on the street. Hunt feels that it the job of the police to control the speed on the street.
At this point, he public hearing was closed and a motion was brought and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda.
A motion was made by Billy Benson and seconded by Sarah Benson for item number two, Consideration of Ashe Street Signage. At this point, Commissioner Gene North said some of the residents of Ashe Street, that he has spoken to, were opposed to the signage. Commissioner Sarah Benson then stated that the road is a disaster and she is concerned about the safety of the children. Commissioner Cris Harrelson spoke up and said he is a resident of Ashe Street and has seen the speeding cars. He also noted that there were many residents present at the meeting with only 3 signed up to speak about the issue. He did not want to make a decision that would affect the residents without knowing how they felt.
Several citizens spoke up on the matter. After discussion from several citizens and elected officals the vote passed in favor for the signage.
– Item number four was the Consideration of Resolution creating and appointing Economic Development Strategic Planning Committee. A motion was made with a second on the motion. Vote taken, item passed.
– Item number five, Consideration of contracting for temporary WWTP Backup ORC. Vote taken, item passed.
– Item Number 11 on Monday night’s agenda for the Bladenboro Town Board meeting was the Consideration of Inmate Labor. Kip McClary, Bladen County Service Manager, stepped up to speak and answer any questions. He manages the inmate labor for Bladen County. McClary stated that the inmate program can be difficult to manage, but the Department of Corrections works well to take care of any problems that may arise. It was discussed then by members of the board about if the town was understaffed. It was stated that normally the town hired local citizens for seasonal and part time labor to mow and do landscaping. It was stated that to hire local would mean that the money would stay local.
A vote was taken and the Consideration of Inmate Labor was voted down.
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