03/27/2024
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Bladen County Commissioners approved Proclamations, held a Public Hearing on the ‘closing out’ of a 2011 CDBG grant, approved a contract for another grant, received the budget request from BCC, received an update regarding the possible takeover of the Tar Heel Water Corporation, tabled a request for approval of a 2016 Medication Assistance Program (MAP) Grant application until the next meeting when Cris Harrelson, Bladen County Health Director will attend the meeting and provide details. They also received an update on the jail project plus an update on an inmate labor transportation issue.

The Board approved a Nurses Week Proclamation and made a presentation to a group of local nurses,

They approved Proclamations honoring Teachers Week, another was for Mental Health Awareness Month and A Day of Prayer Proclamation. A Day of Prayer is scheduled for Thursday, May 7.

One person spoke at the Public Hearing that closed out a Community Development Block Grant program for scattered housing repairs in the county. Cathy Newkirk thanked the board for assisting a family member, using CDBG grant funds.

Jan Maynor, Executive Director of the Lumber River Council of Government, announced that her organization had secured $170,000 loan to assist in a single-family rehabilitation loan program. The board approved her request for the loan assistance program and agreed to contract with LRCOG to administer the program.

Dr. William Findt, President of Bladen Community College presented the budget request on behalf of the BCC Board of Trustees.(see separate article) for the coming fiscal year. The request included an increase of approximately $109,000 over the current year county allocation.

The Board entered into a Water District Board meeting for the purpose of receiving an update related to a request from the Tar Heel Water Corporation for the county to proceed with taking over their system and merging it with the county’s system. The request was approved.

Commissioners heard a request from Judy Hester of Bladenboro related to a water problem in the Richardson community. She reported to the board that representatives of the county and other units of government recently had visited the area and indicated that a grant may be available to alleviate the situation that has been ongoing for several years. Hester indicated she expected to have permission from adjacent property owners to deal with the situation in the next few days. She was advised that Greg Martin would keep her updated on details related to the grant application.

Chairman Charles Ray Peterson announced the jail project was moving forward and the ground-breaking will be held in July or August of the current year. Greg Martin, County Manager,reported the Architectural Design Drawings have been completed and budget estimates are being developed. The next meeting of the jail committee is May 11. Plans are for maximum estimates and bid packages to be completed in the near future.

Martin said Rep. William Brisson was continuing to work with the county and the Department of Corrections related to transportation for inmates to work with some local governments in the county. The county and some towns used inmate labor prior to the closing of the NC Department of Corrections at White Lake. Martin said Brisson had informed him more information may be received as soon as this week.

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