By Joy Warren
Elizabethtown Town Council met Monday evening via an online Zoom meeting. Each year, the Town Manager with the assistance of Departmental staff selects the “Employee of the Year”. The selection is based on the performance, longevity, and dedication that an employee demonstrates throughout their career.
This year, Mr. Ricky Smith (pictured above) was selected for the recognition. Mr. Smith works in the Town’s Water Department as a Utility Tech III. He has been employed with the Town since 2006. Town Manager Eddie Madden said, “Ricky is often referred to as the ‘go-to-guy’. He is reliable, hard working and shows great commitment to the Town. He is also a highly skilled employee having received the designations of C-Well Operator, C-Distribution and Collection Systems Operator. He is highly respected by his co-workers, contractors that he interacts with, and the citizens of Elizabethtown.”
Bladen County Sheriff’s Department requested a special use permit to build an additional accessory use building greater than 750 sq. ft. for storage of their military grade vehicles. The property where the structures are to be constructed is zoned O-I Office and Industrial District located at 450 Smith Circle. The property is located outside the city limits but is inside of the ETJ.
Per the Elizabethtown Zoning Ordinance, Accessory Use Buildings greater than 750 sq. ft. (the structure is 30’x 50’ = 15000 sq. ft.) are permitted by special use in the C-1 General Commercial zoning district. The Quasi-Judicial Procedure Public Hearing was conducted with no citizen input and later in the meeting, Council voted to approve the Special Use as requested.
Police Chief Tony Parrish and Director of Communications and Marketing Terri Dennison provided updates to Council regarding Covid-19. Both encouraged local business owners and all citizens to abide by the Governor’s Executive order requesting that masks be worn by everyone when out in public places. Follow social distancing guidelines and washing hands.
In administrative matters, Council declared the commercial timber on the donated Mary Greene tract (Industrial Park) as surplus to allow Town Manager to negotiate sale; approved construction bid award and approval of Construction Phase services for the Elizabethtown Cemetery Project (S & C Construction $3,487,591); appointed Bobby Kinlaw and Maurice Williams to Zoning Board of Adjustments; reappointed Wayne Edge to Fireman’s Relief Board Council; approved Certified Firefighter Roster; approved monthly tax releases and financial report; and adopted Special Use permits (Derek Davis, Cape Fear Private Equity and Mac Campbell).
Eddie Madden announced the Town has been awarded a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Properties have been identified for rehab and replacement of sidewalks and playground equipment at the MLK Park.
The Town Offices will be closed in observance of the Christmas Holiday on December 24, 25, and 28, 2020 and January 1, 2021 for the New Year Holiday.
Meeting moved into Closed Session to discuss real estate matters.
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