03/29/2024
Spread the love

By Blake Proctor

At 6:00pm, with all Commissioners in attendance, Mayor Darryl Dowless gaveled a Public Hearing to order to hear public input on amending the scope of the $640,500 Infrastructure Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-I) that is currently under construction throughout Town

The scope of the project is being expanded to include additional water line rehab and replacement activities in the area of Bethel Church Road between 2 nd and 3 rd Streets in Town. According to the Public Hearing notice, the grant project will continue to benefit at least 51% low and moderate income (LMI) households.

There were no interested parties present to provide comments or other input on this grant amendment, and the Public Hearing was closed at 6:03pm.

The Mayor then called the regular meeting to order and provided the invocation. The minutes from the previous meeting and the October finance report were quickly dispensed with. There were no guests or citizens wishing to speak; nor was there any old business to address.

The first item of new business was an update on the CDBG-I construction by Public Works Director Jonathan Ward. He stated that the project is progressing, and that contractor Carmichael Construction is still “finding” water lines that are not on old maps by breaking into them; this slows the project as the lines are repaired.

Expanding on the topic, Mr. Ward informed the Commission that the Lyons Landing sewer lift station was being clogged with an excessive buildup of grease that will eventually damage the submersible pumps. He has been pricing industrial degreasers designed to clear grease from lift stations, and has found that prices range from $1,200 to as high as $3,500 per 35-gallon barrel.

In discussing the merits of the various products, it was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Ward should make the determination of the proper product and proceed with the unclogging measures. Town Clerk Ashley Matthews determined that the funds for this unbudgeted expense can be taken from a combination of line items.

Referring back to the public hearing at the meeting’s beginning, the Board unanimously adopted a resolution approving the expansion of the project’s scope, and to submit documentation to the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ).

Also unanimously approved was the engineering contract with LKC Engineering from Aberdeen, NC, for the Bakers Creek Sewer Outfall Replacement project, again being financed with NCDEQ funds.

In a humorous moment, Mayor Dowless informed the Board that a citizen had pressure-washed his house and was seeking an adjustment to his sewer bill. As it turns out, the adjustment came to $1.78; it was discussed that since only one such adjustment was allowed per connection per year, it might be better if this adjustment were saved for a truly large billm such as one resulting from a water break.

The request was approved, however, with the Commission tasking Town Clerk Matthews to make him aware of the ordinance restrictions and allowing him to seek the $1.78 or to rescind his earlier adjustment request, at his option.

The Commission was made aware that when they agreed at the October meeting to reopen Town Hall, they neglected to actually vote on the matter; they therefore needed to ratify their previous action, which they quickly did.

At the same time, they voted unanimously to begin allowing the rental of the Community Building again, with the stipulation that all renters sign waivers, holding the town harmless for any Covid19-related illnesses. Town Attorney Whitley Ward was tasked with preparing the proper release forms.

The Board then discussed information from the Lumber River Council of Governments (LRCOG) regarding the NC Hometown Strong program that provides Community Broadband access within municipalities. This program provides public areas that are designed to make available community broadband access to the Town’s residents.

Following substantial discussion, it was the consensus of the Board that Ms. Matthews contact LRCOG for additional information, and if she deems it feasible, for her to make the appropriate application.

In Department Reports for water, sewer and streets, it was noted that these had already been addressed in previous discussions earlier in the meeting; also, there were no sanitation complaints. To close the evening, Fire Chief Pete Batten announced that the Fire Department Christmas party in December had been cancelled due to the pandemic.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:29pm.

 

About Author