By Joy Warren
The White Lake Planning Board, at its February 18 meeting, reviewed a Special Use Permit request submitted by Jake Womble to develop an RV Park at 1611 White Lake Drive (across from The Grand Regal at Goldston’s) and sent its approval of the application. Harry’s R.V. Park plans to have 19 overnight camping sites. The Board reviewed the recommendation and has scheduled a public hearing at the April 13th meeting.
The White Lake Board of Commissioners, at it’s Tuesday meeting, approved a resolution honoring the memory of Carolyn Keith Lane, former Town Clerk. Mrs. Lane was employed for 23+ years as the Town Clerk. She passed away on February 21. Mayor Goldston Womble stated “Ms. Carolyn made valuable contributions to the Town of White Lake and its citizens by her dedicated and loyal service. She was loved and respected by the Town and will truly be missed by all who knew her”.
A monthly report was provided by Dr. Diane Lauritsen with LIMNOSCIENCES on the White Lake “Lake” Water Management Project. Dr. Lauritsen reported that “the new year is following the same pattern of extreme precipitation events as 2020, with February 2021 having two rainfall events of 3+ inches, and a total for the month of 9.2 inches. Total rainfall for January 2021 was 8.25 inches.”
She reiterated that “White Lake is greatly influenced by the weather—changing weather patterns can affect both lake levels and lake clarity. Lake clarity is affected by extreme rainfall in two ways: 1) Increased stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants, nutrients, and debris and 2) Increased amounts of nutrients coming from the rainfall itself.
Understanding the changes to White Lake involves recognizing this relationship: Big rains = more nutrients = more phytoplankton (algae suspended in the water column). For more information on the Lake water project go to https://whitelakewatch.com.
Other project updates included the Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project. The contractor has completed the replacement of the water mains on Fayetteville, Bladen and Wilson Streets with reconnects completed by March 15th. Sanitary sewer bypass equipment will be installed the week of March 15th, and sewer main replacement work is expected to be completed by the end of May or early June. Updates are posted on the Town’s website at http://www.whitelakenc.org/.
Project manager Eddie Madden gave an update on Phase II and III of the White Lake Multi-Use Path Project. Madden continues to seek additional funding for Phase II and the low-bid contractor has extended his bid until April 15th. The Board tabled consideration of USDA low interest loan with USDA until the April meeting. A grant application to USDA has been submitted for Phase III for $150,000. This would fund the total Phase III portion of the path.
In other administrative matters, the Board approved Utility Releases ($687.41), Tax Releases ($328.42), Tax Refunds ($62.54); appointed Sky Moore to the Planning & Zoning Board of Adjustment; approved hiring Richard Blake Yandle as a part-time police officer; approved the amended Coronavirus Relief Fund Plan; and approved leaving the fee as assessed for post construction permit for WL Marina.
The Board approved the participation in a merger/regionalization feasibility study in September 2020 for the Town to cooperate with the Town of Elizabethtown to complete a merger/consolidation investigation for a public wastewater system located within the Town of White Lake. The Town was awarded a $50,000 grant. W.K. Dickson & Co. engineering firm will work with the two municipalities in conducting the study.
Public Works Director Tim Frush announced his retirement effective April 1. Recognition of Mr. Frush’s retirement will be held later pending changes in the mass gathering guidelines.
Tuesday night’s meeting was adjourned to March 30th at 5:30 p.m. for the FY 21/22 Budget Retreat.
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