by Joy Warren
The Elizabethtown Town Council met in-person Monday evening for their regular monthly meeting. Mayor Sylvia Campbell recognized the parents of Larrell Murchison and thanked them for the Fun Day that Larrell sponsored and conducted last Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Murchison said “Larrell loves his community. He enjoyed spending time with the kids. It was such a delight to see the smiles on their faces. He is looking forward to next year’s event.”
Police Chief Tony Parrish (pictured above) presented a request for a Law Enforcement Recruitment & Retention Program to offer incentives to recruit new applicants to fill vacant positions within the department and to retain current officers. New applicants holding a BLET Certification, will be offered a sign-on bonus, contingent upon completion of 2 years of sworn service with EPD (BLET Cert. – $500; BLET + 1-2 yrs exp – $2,000; BLET + 2-4 yrs exp. – $3,000; BLET Cert + 4 or more yrs exp. – $4,000). Retention incentives include bonus payments ($500) for the completion of law enforcement certificate programs and training (min. of 16 hrs) as approved by the Chief. Council approved the amendment to the Personnel Policy as presented.
Pat DeVane gave an update on current projects. The Elizabethtown Cemetery project is about halfway through the allotted project time with 110 feet of the wall left to complete. FEMA gave an extension of the project until December 31, 2021. Greene’s Lake Conservation Park has a few finishing touches to complete the project.
Council approved an ordinance to establish a budget for a project to be funded by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The total allocation will be $1,076,559.97. The grant expires December 31, 2026.
In other administrative matters, council approved the Special Use Permit for Jesse Inman; appointed Dr. Justin DeGarmo to the Airport/Economic Development Commission, Lee Hauser to the Planning Board, and reappointed Ms. Robinson to the Bladen Housing Authority; and approved the proposal from SEPI for engineering services for the Pavement Condition Survey.
During the noon work session, Council members welcomed new Police Officers Marshal Beard and Zackary Bridgers.
The first Sunset Jams Concert will be August 6th at 7 p.m. at the Grand Regal at Goldston’s Beach featuring Rivermist.
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