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By Joy Warren

During a public hearing at the Elizabethtown Town Council Monday evening meeting, Council heard from Town Attorney Goldston Womble regarding the need for a 120-day extension of the moratorium for Electronic Gaming Operations. Womble stated he is researching current information and other county ordinances and will need additional time to draft the appropriate language for presentation of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. Council approved the additional time.

Council member Leinwand and Attorney Womble

Pat DeVane, Assistant Town Manager, updated Council on projects currently underway. Progress is being made on the Greene Lake Project with the completion of the dam; Sidewalk work is being done and meeting with utility companies tomorrow; Fire and Rescue building foundation has been laid after a delay; and Tory Hole Park damages have been assessed and some repairs made. DeVane indicated that the Park would not reopen until the river bridge cleanup is complete and the Wildlife Commission opens up the parking lot and ramp. No work is being done at Lock and Dam #2 due to a Fish Moratorium and will probably not resume until July.

Police Chief Tony Parrish and Public Services Director Hugh Bledsoe gave a presentation on large trucks parking on residential streets. Bledsoe indicated that there have been large trucks driving and parking on residential streets in violation of zoning ordinances. Chief Parrish contacted trucking companies to make them aware of ordinances and he also spoke with truck drivers. Bledsoe showed photos of damaged streets and man hole damage as well. Areas have been repaired. Parrish contacted several property owners about allowing trucks to park overnight and on weekends so that the truckers who live in town could have somewhere close to their residence to park. The Happy Mart, Accent Dye and Stewart’s Mobile Service are allowing truckers to park on their property. Mayor Sylvia Campbell praised Parrish and Bledsoe for not only taking care of the problem, but also for finding alternative parking for the residents who needed to be able to park their trucks nearby.

Council approved to amend NCDOT Ordinances to modify speed limits on the following streets/highways: from 20 to 25 MPH on NC 87 BUS, between Lower St and US 701; from 20 to 25 MPH on NC 41, between US 701 and Pine St; from 20 to 25 MPH SR 1145 between Martin St and Broad St; enact 25 MPH between King St and Queen St.

The Town received a request from Town of White Lake Mayor Goldston Womble for Town support in opposing the Bladen County School System change from the Traditional School calendar to a Year-Round calendar. Council approved the resolution opposing the change. Herman Lewis was the sole vote against the resolution.

Council approved a Proclamation that honors the 900,000 law enforcement officers across America including the dedicated members of the Elizabethtown Police Department. The proclamation designates May 12-18 as National Police Week with May 15 being designated as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” in honor of all fallen officers and their families.

In other business, Council approved the Capital Improvement Plan for 2019-23; approved task order changes for Elizabeth Street Project and Greene’s Lake Dam project for Hydrologic/Hydraulic studies; approved grant loan agreements with the Office of Recovery and Resiliency; released water account of Darrell Marshall; approved change order for Fire and Rescue facility; and approved NCDOT Landscape agreement for US 701 Underpass.

Minnie Price, Board member of the Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy, invited the Council to a special celebration event on May 24 at 12:30 p.m. The Bladen County Training School will receive it’s designation as a National Historic Site. There will also be a plate sale fundraiser that day.

Darrell Marshall spoke to the Council thanking the Town and the residents of Elizabethtown for the acts of kindness and help his family received. Marshall’s house was totally destroyed in a fire in April.

In observance of Memorial Day, the Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 27.

The Marine Corps will be conducting a Military Training Exercise on June 2-5 in the Elizabethtown community.

The 2019 Summer Sounds Concert Series schedule has been released: July 11 (Cool Heat); July 25 (The Entertainers); August 8 (Catalinas); and August 22 (Jim Quick & Coastline). Concerts are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be held at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market.