03/29/2024
Spread the love

By Blake Proctor

Due to the Covid19 pandemic, the Dublin Board of Commissioners met in the Community Building once again Thursday, May 7th.

Following the Board’s normal monthly housekeeping chores, Gene Lockamy, President of the Dublin Fire Protection District, Inc., came before the Board to request consideration of the District’s budget of $99,350; the Board approved that budget request unanimously.

Mr. Lockamy then addressed future funding of the Dublin Volunteer Fire Department, and its continuing independent status. Current Dublin VFD operating revenues are $20,000 from the Town, including the $7,000 approved at the April meeting, and $20,500 from the Fire District. However, the District provides substantial additional funding for vehicles and equipment.

Mayor Darryl Dowless informed the Board that he and Commissioner David Hursey would be meeting with Mr. Lockamy and Dublin VFD Chief Pete Batton on June 18th. The meeting’s agenda would be to discuss the Department’s needs and to consider the option of combining with the Fire District rather than remaining separate, according to Dowless.

Also coming before the Board was 1st Class Scout Tucker Bordeaux, from Boy Troop 600. He is working on his Star Scout rank and for his project, would like to place and maintain a “free library” in front of the Town Hall. Bordeaux explained the project. He said, Town citizens and others could use the library; this concept is akin to the “take one/give one” shelf in many libraries, but providing greater access by the public.

The Commission was duly impressed with the concept and gave its hearty endorsement of the project.

In other business, there was a quick discussion of reopening Town Hall for customers. Still, by consensus, the Board decided to maintain the delay until isolation updates from Governor Cooper’s office.

The June 4th Board meeting was confirmed, and on a request from Town Clerk Ashley Matthews, a special meeting for Monday, June 15th, was called to hold a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget.

Town Clerk Matthews gave a quick quarterly report summary of the Infrastructure Community Development Block Grant. On a written recommendation by grant consultants WithersRavenel, the Board unanimously approved Carmichael Construction of Southport, NC, to provide construction services on 4,300 feet of water main improvements at a cost of $326,849.75.

At its April meeting, the Board approved asking the Lumber River Council of Governments updating the Town’s Code of Ordinances; the COG quoted a price of $30,300 for this service. Realizing the necessity of this update, the Board voted unanimously to pay $30,300 to the LRCOG for this service.

Pastor Mike Burney, with Dublin Freewill Baptist Church, is requesting permission to be allowed to set up a produce stand at the parsonage. The Board agreed that if the funds are for the church, that would be fine as a not-for-profit; otherwise, a $20.00 fee would be required.

A citizen on Armfield Road requested the Town put up an additional street light. Public Works Director Jonathan Ward informed the Board that there is one public street light on that street, but that a pole is available to put hang another one. The Board agreed that he should find out the price from Duke Power to install a light and get back with the Board at the next meeting.

Mr. Ward requested $5,500 to repair sewer mains in various places throughout Town that have very bad inflow and infiltration problems, resulting in the Town paying up to $4,000 monthly for Elizabethtown to treat rainwater runoff.

Questions were asked about informing the Town’s residents of their need to complete the Census survey. The problem is that questionnaires are sent to physical addresses, but Dublin has no delivery, only P.O. boxes. Assistant Town Clerk Amy Di Cicco was tasked with calling the residents and reminding them of the Census forms that need filling out.

As the meeting was about to adjourn, citizen and Boy Scout mom Lori Hursey presented bags of home-baked cookies to the Board in thanks for their continued support of Troop 600.

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