by Joy Warren
During the regular session of the Town of White Lake Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Goldston Womble officiated the swearing in of a new officer for the White Lake Police Department. Sergeant Michael Vause was welcomed as an official member of the Police Department.
Mrs. Dawn Maynard, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce made a brief presentation to seek the Board’s approval of pursuing new Chamber events to be held at White Lake. She would like to do a series of Summer Jams similar to the one held in June at Goldston’s Beach. She was very pleased with the attendance of approximately 300 people. The Board agreed to write a letter of support in her efforts to seek business sponsors for more events as well as increased financial support of the 4th of July fireworks.
As required by the the Town’s Code of Ordinances, the following officers were officially appointed by the Board: Mayor Pro Tempore, (Commissioner Tom Riel), Director of Administrative Services/Town Clerk/Finance Officer/Human Resource Officer (Brenda Clark), Chief of Police (Bruce Smith), Tax Collector (Patsy Teachey), Deputy Finance Officer (Kathy Iwerks), Water/Wastewater Superintendent/Zoning Inspector (Tim Frush), Assistant Zoning Inspector (Lee Cain), Fire Chief/Safety Officer (Dale Brennan), Budget Officer (Mayor H. Goldston Womble, Jr.) and Town Attorney (Clif Hester, Hester, Grady & Hester).
In administrative matters, the Board accepted the tax collector’s Full Settlement Report for Fiscal Year 2015/16 as presented; and approved Utility Releases ($209) and Tax Releases ($276.19);
FEMA has requested that a Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution be adopted each year to file to the appropriate state office for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance under the Disaster Relief Act to expedite the reimbursement process in the event the Town is struck by a natural disaster. The Designation of Applicant’s Agent is recommended by the N.C. Division of Emergency Management for consideration of public assistance. Director of Administrative Services Brenda Clark was appointed to serve as the Designated Applicant Agent.
Mayor Womble gave an update on the Lake Water Quality. As of July 01, 2016, Brian Cox with Engineering Services advised staff that Joey Taylor is finalizing maps of areas of concern and will forward the maps to Engineering Services early next week. During the Open Forum, Camille McDowell of Sundeck Apartments, spoke to the Board about her concerns about water quality issues and how it may affect her livelihood. Mayor Womble pointed out that all of the tests from various state agencies have shown no water quality issues. The Town is, however, trying to determine the cause of water discoloration. He indicated that the main flow of storm water flowing into the lake from a drainage ditch on Lake Drive has been blocked by the property owner and the Town is monitoring any noticeable changes. The same property owner is amenable to redirecting the flow across her other property if that would help the issue. Updates will be provided to Board members, business owners and citizens as reports are received.The Board adjourned tonight’s meeting to Tuesday, July 19th at 5:30 p.m. in order to meet with Southeastern Health, Chris Adams, Architect, and Mark Bacon, Grant Writer with Engineering Services to discuss the expansion of the Southeastern Medical Center ~ White Lake office.
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