MINUTES OF THE WHITSETT TOWN COUNCIL
September 11, 2007
Whitsett Town Hall Building
The regular meeting of the Whitsett Town Council was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday,
September 11, 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 Cindy Wheeler. 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; and there were none.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Adoption of the Minutes
Mayor Fennell asked for any changes to the August 14, 2007 minutes for the regular monthly meeting; and there were none. Motion made by Councilmember Jerry Rice to adopt the minutes as written; motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown. Adoption carried by unanimous vote.
2. Any Other Old Business
Mayor Fennell asked for any other old business; and there was none.
Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia stated that since there was no September meeting of the Planning Board, there was nothing to report.
2. Enforcement Committee
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that the Committee had no activity this past month.
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that no development clearance permits had been issued this month.
Town Administrator Gary Deal steered Council members’ attention to the copy before them of a communication from Governor Easley’s office concerning
the serious drought conditions throughout the State, and the requirement for local governments to implement Water Shortage Response Plans. All counties were classified severe, extreme, or exceptional—exceptional being the worst; and Guilford, along with the majority of the NC counties, was classified “extreme” with only 7 counties determined to be under “exceptional” conditions.
Town Administrator Deal stated that even though Whitsett is not affected by
the State mandate, since all but a few households use well water, it is beneficial for the Town to be aware of how the rest of Guilford County is affected and what is going on in Raleigh.
1. Any Items from Council Members
Mayor Fennell asked for any other items from Council members; and with no responses, Mayor Fennell proceeded to give an update on the Town’s efforts towards a municipal water system. Mayor Fennell explained that Town officials had met with the engineering firm of Davis-Martin-Powell, the Town’s contractor, to provide additional information on the contaminated wells in Whitsett and to request an updated analysis of costs and parameters for water-line and water provisions.
The latest information received, including an estimated project cost of $600,000, and recommendations from Davis-Martin-Powell will be used by the Town in preparation for the availability of State grant funds. The process for local governments to apply for the State grants is expected to open in December of this year. The Town Council and other Town officials plan to soon meet with Senator Phil Berger, who will be provided all the pertinent data on hand; and who will be offering the Town the direction to go.
Mayor Fennell asked Town Administrator Deal if, to his knowledge, were the County funds of $100,000 per municipality still viable; and Deal responded affirmative. This could be a start, but only a dent in the aggregate $600,000
cost estimate. The remaining $500,000 would be the amount the Town would compete for via the State grant process.
The Town will continue to bring updates to the public on progress in the thrust
to find grant money.
On another matter, members of the audience brought to the attention of the Town Council a water leak at the intersection of highways 61 and 70, which is property owned by Huffman Oil. The area was where a dwelling once stood; and the standing water smelled bad and the ground saturated. Mayor Fennell asked the Town Clerk to alert Huffman Oil about the leak. [The leak was taken care of by Huffman Oil within days from this meeting.]
Another subject of interest from the audience, was that of the relocation of the newly-dedicated historic district roadside marker. Mayor Fennell explained that plans were to extend the flower bed around the veterans monument and reinstall the marker in its [hopefully] permanent location.
Also on the subject of the marker and the veterans monument, Askew-Petersen,
as requested per the August Town Council’s meeting, evaluated the condition of the veterans monument for possible refurbishment. Askew-Petersen’s reply was not favorable and rather costly; all due to the age and the marble material of the monument.
Tasks and costs would include: (1) a preliminary test for $120 to determine feasibility, and (2) completion of revitalization estimated at $1,270. Although
any work would likely better accentuate the engraved names of veterans, which is the Town’s primary objective, the improvements could not be guaranteed as to
longevity. The Town will take this matter under advisement.
While on the subject of repairs, Town Administrator Gary Deal pointed out that the windows in the Town Hall building are in serious need of repair and should become a priority. Deal mentioned that the Town of Summerfield had recently protected the windows of its Town Hall by double-paning using a plexiglass type material.
Edna Blythe mentioned that Springwood Church recently had a same or similar type method done for its windows. Both examples will be researched as to who was the contractor and what was used.
In addition, the overall evaluation of Town Hall repairs is still expected from
Tom Gregory, a commercial building inspector, who will provide a priority listing of recommended repairs and approximate costs the Town could expect.
2. Announcements
Mayor Fennell asked for any announcements; and there were none.
3. Speakers from the Floor
Mayor Fennell asked for any speakers from the floor; and there were none.
With no further business before the Council, Mayor Fennell invited a motion to
adjourn. Motion was made by Councilmember Jerry Rice and seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown. Motion passed unanimously; and the September 11
Town Council meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Town Council will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday,
October 9, 2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall.
/s/ /s/
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Jo Hesson, Town Clerk Richard Fennell, Mayor
APPROVED: