[slideshow_deploy id=’44552′]
By: Erin Smith
The Elizabethtown Town Council met on Tuesday and got down to business planning for the upcoming budget process. The retreat was held at the White Lake Town Hall.
Council members heard from department heads regarding the needs for their departments such as firefighting equipment, new police cars, the need for more personnel and possible projects for the board to consider.
Mayor Sylvia Campbell opened the meeting by discussing the town and the progress that has been made. “We’re growing everyday,” said Campbell.
She related a letter that she had received from a citizen that said that they had moved away after high school because they were afraid the town would die and had not planned to return to Elizabethtown. Campbell said the letter writer has moved back due to the vitality of the town.
The subject of updating the zoning ordinances and creating a more streamlined process was discussed by Councilman Howell Clark. He pointed out that there were sections of the town’s ordinances that resembled the town of Cary.
Councilman Dicky Glenn asked about fellow Councilman Ricky Leinwand’s sign on his business. Glenn said the signs on the side of the building were out of compliance. Town Manager Eddie Madden pointed out that there are very few entities that deal with planning and zoning issues. He said there are currently two companies that have expertise to assist the two with the matter and they are the Wooten Company and Benchmark. Madden said the town has been working with the Wooten Company to complete a rewrite of the sign ordinance and said that town staff is working with a third different person since the project began three years ago.
Finance Director Jay Leatherman gave the board an overview of his budget projections. He told the board that town staff are working with Town Attorney Whitley Ward to clear up delinquent tax accounts. He said that letters have been sent to those who owe for multiple years and owe $600 or more by Ward.
Leatherman also told the board that there have been some changes to the state employees’ health plan.
Also, Public Works Director Pat DeVane told the board that he is requesting hire additional positions in the street division and public works. He said currently there are four people in each division. When DeVane was hired as director, there were five people in each division and he told the board he would like to get it back to five in each division.
DeVane also discussed some potential changes being made by the General Assembly to the law that will affect Water and Sewer. DeVane explained that according to the state, Elizabethtown does not charge enough for their water. He explained that for the purpose of the Division of Water Infrastructure grant funding, the town must charge $33 for 5,000 gallons of water. At the current rate, the town only charges residents $19.38 for 5,000 gallons of water. DeVane said that on the wastewater side, the state said the town should be charging $33 and Devane said the town’s rate is $27. He said basically, these changes would make the town ineligible for certain grants for water projects.
Campbell pointed out that increasing the water rates to meet the state’s criteria would almost double the water and sewer bill for those who cannot afford it.
Fire Chief Nick West updated the council on the fire department’s activities and needs. He told the board there has been increased participation on calls, organizational changes have been made, replaced 19 sets of turnout gear, increased training procedures, improved the use of the records management system, and the department is preparing for an ISO inspection in 2017.
West also told the board that the fire department is more visible and taking part in community events. He also said that he is assisting in writing a regional grant that will help in obtaining new air packs for all the county’s fire departments.
West updated the board regarding the new fire truck that is currently being built. It is made of aluminum and is being hand forged and the expected delivery date is April.
Next, Police Chief Tony Parrish addressed the board and presented his request for a new officer. He told the board he would like to create a new position within the department in the criminal investigation unit to help with the case load and to fill a vacant patrol position. His proposal is to move the K-9 unit to the investigation division where it can be more effective, thereby filling that position. Parrish said he would then hire one new patrol officer.
He also proposed applying for a three year grant from the Department of Homeland Security to create a community policing program. “We need to build a rapport with the community,” said Parrish.
Parrish said the department plans to create Community Watch programs throughout the town, to start a Citizens Police Academy to educate citizens about police services and capabilities, create programs to monitor the elderly, engage with the youth in the community.
Parrish also told the board he is in the process of redesigning the patch on the officers’ uniforms and well as purchasing new uniforms.
The board also held a session where they decided to give town staff some direction on priorities and projects to be considered for the coming budget cycle.
About Author
