By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Monday night and heard a request from the members of Lula Shaw’s family to waive the landfill fees for the disposal of the ruins of her home. Shaw lost her home to a fire and her family and community members are assisting her with the clean up and removal of the debris.
Annette Shaw of Council spoke on her mother’s behalf. She explained to the board that her mother lost her home and all of her belongings to a fire on February 3rd.
“The loss has really taken a toll on her,” said Shaw.
Shaw’s nephew, Tremaine Harvey, also sent an email to the board requesting assistance with the landfill fees. Deborah Page and Eugene Shaw, both of Council, also spoke on her behalf.
The home which was destroyed in the fire, was a four bedroom, two bath brick home. The family had received a verbal estimate that the debris from the site is about 15 tons per truck and estimated it would take 10 trucks to transport the debris. The landfill “tipping fee” is $45 per ton for construction and demolition debris. The landfill fees were estimated to be between $6,000 and $7,000 based on the verbal estimate the family was given. 
The board was agreeable to assisting the family with their request but they were asked to present the board with a written estimate of the exact costs they were asking to have waived.
“We want to help you all,” said Bladen County Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson.
Bladen County Commissioners Chairman Ray Britt asked to get some written estimates and submit to the board to be considered.
In other business:
*The board received the 2016-17 audit from Bryon Scott with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Company of Elizabethtown. Scott gave the County an unmodified opinion which he described as “the highest and best rating available.”
*The board approved a sliding fee schedule for self-pay clients for the Health and Human Services Department. The board also approved a a renewal and amendment agreement with East Carolina University. The agreement allows nursing students to work with the Health Department. 
*The board approved submitting a Letter of Interest to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation for a grant opportunity. The grant is for collaboratives to assist with improving health. Interim Health and Human Services Director Wayne Raynor told the board that the grant would provide up to $100,000 for 15 months for planning, coaching, training and technical assistance. Successful planning efforts can receive additional funding up to $125,000 per year for four additional years.
*The board approved an amendment to the Animal control Board Code of Ordinances.
*The board voted to make a one time contribution to the Cape Fear Valley-Bladen Healthcare Foundation.
*The board voted to re-appoint Wayne Edge of Elizabethtown and Larry Johnson of Elizabethtown to the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority. The board tabled an appointment to the White Lake Planning and Zoning Board.
*The board tabled a decision on a request to rescind the flex time policy for the Bladen County Department of Health and Human Services Department.
*The board adopted a Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Proclamation. Marjorie Lewis with Families First Inc. was unable to attend the meeting Monday to receive the proclamation.
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