From left to right, White Lake Police Chief Bruce Smith with new officers Phoenix Nichols, Joseph Graham and Winfort Nicols
By Joy Warren
Mayor Goldston Womble introduced 3 new police officers to the Board at Tuesday night’s monthly Board of Commissioners meeting. Officer Phoenix Nichols, Officer Joseph Graham and Officer Winfort Nichols were welcomed to the Police Department.
Dr. Diane Lauritsen’s monthly report was shared with Town Commissioner’s regarding the rainfall nutrients during the 2020-21 year. The total report is not yet completed but she did provide an overview of collected scientific evidence regarding the changes at White Lake and why those changes are occurring. Data gathered from White Lake Rainfall Nutrients indicate a form of nitrogen found in the rain is also being found in the lake. It can be utilized very quickly by algae. Long-term monitoring of rainfall is finding that this form of nitrogen is increasing sharply in this region of North Carolina. The annual average is very high. So, ammonia emissions in this region of the state are making rain less acidic and more basic, and are also providing a source of fuel for lake algae. The full report can be found at https://www.whitelakewater.org.
Brian Cox with Engineering Services provided an updated report on the Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project – Phase II. The estimated date for beginning construction on the Phase 2 portion of the project was the week of March 7th. It will begin at lift station #1 on Highway 701.
In other administrative matters, the Board approved monthly utility releases ($3,967.58), tax releases ($1,107.42), tax refunds ($38.72); approved the Local Water Supply Reporting Plan for 2021; and released uncollected ad valorem taxes for 2011.
A Public Hearing was held to hear the voluntary request for contiguous annexation for two properties located in Waterford. Kenneth and Sky Moore and Alexis Boykin and Joseph Bowman requested for the Board to extend their properties into the Town of White Lake’s corporate limits. After the hearing the Board adopted the ordinances as presented.
The Board also adopted an ordinance declaring a road closure for the White Lake Water Festival Parade on May 21st. Resolutions were adopted in support of authorizing the 2022 ARPA applications for the Phase I & III sewer improvements.
Mayor Womble reported that along with the assistance of the Town Planning Board, Lumber River Council of Governments has provided a Comprehensive Land Use Plan Survey for the White Lake Community. Citizens, and interested parties, are encouraged to complete the survey to help determine the land use needs for the Lake for the next 20 years. This survey will be available on the Town’s website, as well as at Town Hall and several businesses around the community.
Bladen County Commissioners approved earmarking $1.4 million of the ARPA funds to complete the county VIPER Radio Project. Included in these funds the White Lake Fire Department will receive $38,000 for 11 mobile radios and 13 portable radios.
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