MINUTES OF THE WHITSETT TOWN COUNCIL
January 9, 2007
Whitsett Town Hall
The regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Whitsett was held at
7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall. The following members of the Town Council were present: Mayor Richard Fennell, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown, Councilmembers Jerry Rice, Ken Jacobs, and Mark Stewart. Also present were Town Administrator Gary Deal and Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia.
Mayor Fennell called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and noted that a quorum was present. Councilmember Rice offered the invocation.
Mayor Fennell asked for any speakers from the floor; there were none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Councilmember Jerry Rice noted that there was a minor typographical error on page 2 of the December 12, 2006, minutes; and asked that it be corrected for the record. Motion made by Councilmember Rice to adopt the minutes provided that the minor error be corrected; motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown. Adoption carried by unanimous vote.
2. Water Study Report
Town Administrator Gary Deal announced that Randy McNeill, from Davis-Martin-Powell Associates, Inc., was unable to attend the January Council meeting due to a schedule conflict; however, Mr. McNeill has put it on his calendar to attend the Whitsett Town Council meeting on February 13. In addition, Town Administrator Deal reported that Councilmember Ken Jacobs and he would be attending a Water and Sewer Funding Strategies seminar in Chapel Hill, and would hopefully bring back some valuable information.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs also gave a progress report on his efforts to explore funding options at the State and County levels for a prospective municipal water system. In the process of making contacts, it was realized that our options are limited because the median household income in Whitsett reported by the County is too high for the Town to qualify for many grants. Councilmember Jacobs further reported that while speaking with John Nantz from the County’s Environmental Health Services on another issue, he mentioned Whitsett’s concern about funding help for a water system. John Nantz was open to helping the Town, and offered to have the County test wells near the intersection of Highways 61 and 70. The testing would involve about 35 wells within a 1,500 foot radius, and would be completed at no cost to the Town or residents.
The process would consist of (1) a preliminary letter to the approximately 35 residents and property owners informing them of the County’s proposal to test wells, (2) a hand-delivered letter to John Nantz with a list of the wells Whitsett would like tested, (3) a follow-up letter to Whitsett residents notifying them of the date the testing will take place and the procedures to follow, and (4) the County sending a team to draw samples and sending those samples to a State lab for testing.
Once the results are available, County health officials and the Whitsett Town representatives will convene to review findings, lay out the next steps to be taken, and discuss government funding options available to Whitsett and alternative funding methods to consider.
3. Public Address System
Councilmember Ken Jacobs reported that the PA system is up and running and demonstrated the system’s effectiveness. Final installation of a DVD recorder is
pending Council approval of its purchase price. The DVD recorder recommended by the PA system vendor, Hunter TV, is available to Whitsett at an “at-cost” price of $125.00 plus tax.
Councilmember Mark Stewart made a motion to approve purchasing the $125. + tax unit; motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Fennell asked for any old business; there was none.
1. Planning Board
PB Chairman Bob Maccia announced that the position of PB Chairman and Vice Chairman had been determined at the January 3, Planning Meeting. PB Chairman Maccia will be reinstated for another year as the Chairman, and Joe Wheeler, recently approved from alternate to member on the Board, was asked and accepted to serve as Vice Chairman for a year.
PB Chairman Maccia also reported that the open alternate seat on the Planning Board still remains. If anyone is aware of someone who would like to serve as PB alternate, please contact Chairman Maccia or encourage interested party to contact any member of the Planning Board, the Town Council, or call the Town Hall to express interest.
2. Enforcement Committee
No activity.
3. Enforcement Officer
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that one permit had been issued since last month’s Town Council meeting. The permit was issued to Ken Rutkoski on Dow Drive for the installation of a free-standing awning system.
4. Town Administrator
Town Administrator Gary Deal reported that last month he had attended a meeting of the Guilford County Solid Waste Committee; and that he would be attending another monthly meeting on Thursday, January 11. The committee continues to make strides in reducing solid waste throughout the County with a focus on recycling efforts.
Town Administrator Deal also reported that he had attended a training session with Guilford County Emergency Services which plans to launch a website for municipalities and fire companies to interact during major threatening weather conditions and natural disasters. If power and phones are still in service (even by generator), then municipalities and fire companies would be able to feed data into a web-based system in order to track conditions and determine needs. The web-based application should be launched within a few weeks.
Town Administrator Deal also reported that he had followed up on the conditions at the landfill, e.g., smoldering and emitting odors, with Station #28 who is working closely with EPA on the situation. Station #28 replied that status had improved significantly, was under control, and down to almost nothing. Resident Joe Burgess was asked for his opinion, and confirmed that smoke had decreased.
Historic Road Marker Update. Mayor Richard Fennell reported that the historic road marker sign that has been in process is slated to be cast this week or next. In addition, Mayor Fennell expressed his sincere thanks to Edna Blythe for identifying the mistake on the date of the Whitsett Institute fire. The draft date read 1914; and Edna Blythe alerted the Town Council that, in fact, it was 1918. Had Ms. Blythe not made known this error, it would have been a costly mistake for the Town resulting in additional dollars and time for a redo. The proof was corrected; the 1918 date will be inserted, and the historic sign will be accurate.
Public Funds CD Renewal. The Town Council was presented with a comparison of various local banking institutions CD terms and rates in order to vote where the Water and Sewer CD which matured on January 7 should be renewed.
The CD had been with Wachovia for a 24-month term at a rate of 3.35%. Given all the information from 7 institutions in the area, Vantage South was offering the highest rate; and Wachovia could not match that rate.
Motion was made by Councilmember Ken Jacobs to move the CD funds from Wachovia to Vantage South for a 6-month term at the APY of 5.41%; seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion carried by unanimous vote. The Town Clerk will handle transacting the CD move to Vantage South. This move will also involve a new corporate resolution authorizing 2 out of 3 signature requirements from the Finance Officer, Town Administrator, and Town Clerk.
2. Announcements
Mayor Fennell asked for any announcements; there were none.
3. Speakers from the Floor
Mayor Fennell asked for any speakers from the floor; there were none.
With no further business before the Council, Mayor Fennell invited a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Councilmember Jerry Rice that the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown. Motion passed unanimously; and the January 9 Town Council meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
The next meeting of the Town Council will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, 2007
at the Whitsett Town Hall.
/s/ /s/
_________________________________ _________________________________
Jo Hesson, Town Clerk Richard Fennell, Mayor
APPROVED: February 13, 2007