By Joy Warren
Dr. Diane Lauritsen, a water scientist working with the Town of White Lake, addressed the Board regarding the continued efforts of the Lake water clarity. She stated that the Alum treatment that was administered in May continues to improve the water clarity up to 6 feet now. The treatment did address some of the suspended algae which caused the pH to increase. The pH level has decreased from 9 to 6 units at this time. There is still a bottom layer of algae and other rooted growth that will continue to need monitoring.
Mayor Goldston Womble indicated that permit requests are being pursued for further treatments, if it is determined that they are needed. There will be a TAC meeting with the N.C. Division of Water Quality (DWQ) and Parks and Recreation to discuss long term solutions for water shed and storm water runoff concerns. The Mayor stated that the Town made a request to Bladen County Health Department to sample the lake water on a routine schedule for E.coli and Enterococci bacteria and they began doing that last month. He received a report this week that indicated that the levels for both are within acceptable limits based on EPA guidelines.
As with every first meeting of a fiscal year, reappointments of Town Officers were made: Tom Riel, Mayor Pro Tempore; Brenda Clark, Administrative Services Director/Town Clerk/Finance Officer/Human Resource Officer; Bruce Smith, Chief of Police; Ginger Stevens, Tax Collector; Maggie Spivey, Deputy Tax Collector; Amber Glisson, Accountant/Deputy Finance Officer; Tim Frush, Water/Wastewater Superintendent/Zoning Inspector; Lee Cain, Assistant Zoning Inspector, Dale Brennan, Fire Chief/Safety Officer; Mayor Womble, Budget Officer; and Cliff Hester, Town Attorney.
In other administrative matters, the Board approved June Utility Releases ($5,119.45); rescended and approved May Tax Releases ($83.01); accepted the Tax Collector’s Full Settlement Report for FY 2017/18; approved Indemnification Agreement with the Bladen County Board of Elections to use the Fire Department Building as a voting precinct; approved the Duke Energy Progress Street Light Contract and Municipal Power Receptacle Contract; approved the Zoning Code Update Service Agreement with LRCOG; approved Waste Mangement’s contract for services for the next 5 years; approved videoing and additioanl rehab work for sewer lines; approved budget amendments for Water Restoration CPO, sewer project and leaf & limb removal expenses; appointed Accountant/Deputy Finance Officer Amber Glisson as the Designation of Applicant’s Agent for FEMA funds; and approved a resolution in support of Agriculture that was sent to the Governor.
Womble stated that the multi-use path final plan has been sent to USDA. The encroachment permits have been received from NCDOT and the engineering firm is expecting a permit from DWQ. Once that takes place the project will go out for bids. It is anticipated that a bid recoomendation will be presented at the Board’s August meeting.
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