By Blake Proctor
The East Arcadia Council met on Monday, July 13th for a short-agenda meeting at 7:00 pm. Following the Call to Order and Invocation by Mayor Perry Blanks, but prior to the Consent Agenda, Councilmember Horace Munn stated that the County had received a request to install a solar farm on Ashmore Lane. The property is outside the Town Limits, but within its Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction. After a very short general discussion, it was determined not to be in the best interest of the town and was unanimously disapproved.
The Board quickly disposed of the two-item Consent Agenda, comprising as usual of the prior meeting minutes and June’s Finance Report. There were no citizens or other groups desiring to appear before the Board.
Under Council Reports, there were no comments concerning the Finance Committee, the combined Parks & Recreation, and Buildings & Grounds Committee, or the Water Committee; however, under Streets & Roads, Councilman Munn informed the Council that the Town’s Bush Hog has been repaired and is now back in service. He also is requesting the purchase of a riding lawn mower with a 42-inch cut and a weed eater with a
changeable steel rotary cutting blade for a total price of $2,150.
On a motion by Councilmember Lillian Graham, with a second by Councilmember Carlee Carter, these purchases were unanimously approved. It was noted that three contract workers would now no longer be required. Town Clerk Josephine Smith voiced concerns about contract employees who will be losing their positions. She was instructed to draft a letter to that personnel whose contracts will expire at the end of the month.
Councilmember Graham asked this correspondent why, after years of benign neglect by all of the county’s news media, was there a renewed interest in the Town Council meetings, and was there something of which the Board should be made aware. Mr. Proctor replied that Bladen Online has never had enough staff to cover the entire county and that East Arcadia’s relatively distant location also made it difficult to reach; he continued that with his retention as a municipal “stringer” in April, it was now feasible to include East Arcadia in coverage. Ms. Graham gave an exaggerated comedic sigh of relief.
Under Mayor’s Concerns, Mayor Blanks informed the Board that Julian Duncan has asked if the Town wanted to rent out the old Fire Station; if so, the Mayor continued, there would be much repair work to be performed before the end of December. This item will remain under consideration.
Councilmember Munn then made the Council aware that the Town was getting $4,000 in Covid19 funds for Personal Protective Equipment that the County received from the NC Emergency Management Agency, and the Fire Department would be getting another $6,500. He also advised that the Fire Tax from the county for the upcoming Fiscal Year would be $50,000.
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
About Author
