MINUTES OF THE WHITSETT TOWN COUNCIL
December 11, 2007
Whitsett Town Hall Building
The regular meeting of the Whitsett Town Council was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday,
December 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, Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia, and residents.
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 November 13, 2007 minutes for the regular monthly meeting; and there were none. Motion made by Councilmember Ken Jacobs to adopt the minutes as written; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Adoption carried by unanimous vote.
2. Set Council Meeting Dates
for 2008
Mayor Fennell expressed his preference for the regular monthly meetings of the Town Council to remain on the second Tuesday of each month throughout 2008. Motion made Councilmember Jerry Rice to accept this standard date for Council meetings; motion seconded by Councilmember Cindy Wheeler. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
3. Any Other Old Business
Mayor Fennell asked for any other old business; and
there was none.
At this point, Mayor Fennell recessed the regular meeting of the Town Council to proceed with the swearing in of the newly-elected Council members.
SWEARING IN and
ELECTION OF NEW MAYOR
1. Swearing In Ceremony
Town Administrator Gary Deal administered the oath of office to the elected
Council members: Richard Fennell, Andy Brown, Jerry Rice, and Cindy Wheeler. Messrs. Fennell, Brown and Rice terms of office will expire in 2011. Ms. Wheeler’s term of office will expire in two years [2009].
2. Election of Mayor
Following the swearing in, Town Administrator Deal announced that the floor was open for nominations for the office of Mayor. Councilmember Jerry Rice nominated Richard Fennell for Mayor; nomination seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Councilmember Andy Brown made a motion to close nominations; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. The unanimous vote retained Richard Fennell as Mayor of Whitsett for another two years.
NEW MAYOR PRESIDES
1. Election of Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Fennell asked for nominations for the office of Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmember Jerry Rice nominated Andy Brown for Mayor Pro Tem; nomination seconded by Councilmember Cindy Wheeler. The unanimous
vote retained Andy Brown as Mayor Pro Tem for the upcoming two years.
2. Appointment
of Finance Officer
Mayor Fennell asked for any recommendations for Finance Officer. Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion that Councilmember Jerry Rice continue to serve the Council as its Finance Officer. The motion was seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown; motion carried by unanimous vote.
3. Appointment of Assistant
Finance Officer
Mayor Fennell asked for any comments concerning the position of Assistant Finance Officer. Mayor Fennell remarked that he would like to see Town Clerk Jo Hesson remain as Assistant Finance Officer, and made a motion to that effect. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs; motion carried by unanimous vote.
4.
Contracts for Calendar Year 2008
Three contracts for the year 2008 had been distributed to the Town Council for review and discussion. The contracts were for: Lawncare maintenance, Ballfield use, and Concession Stand operation; and all three vendors had been used in the previous year, much to the pleasure and satisfaction of the Councilmembers.
For Lawncare, a motion was made by Councilmember Ken Jacobs to contract with Blum’s Lawncare Service, whose prices had not increased from 2007. Motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice; and carried by unanimous vote.
For the Ballfield, a motion was made by Councilmember Jerry Rice to contract with Don Pernell as Softball League Director for 2008 who would coordinate scheduling of all ballfield activity in line with contract terms. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs; and carried by unanimous vote.
For the Concession Stand, all comments were exemplary about Ricky and Brenda Wade with a special note of their service for the Town’s dedication of its historic roadside marker in July 2007. Motion made by Councilmember Jerry Rice to continue to contract with the Wades on the operation of the concession stand. Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown; and carried by unanimous vote.
5. CD
Renewal
The jumbo CD investing the Town’s General Funds would mature December 21; and the Town will have a 10-day period to act on reinvesting these funds. The Town Clerk would check CD rates after December 21 and compare them with current Money Market rates and/or other attractive monetary vehicles. The Town Clerk asked for authorization to reinvest the jumbo CD how and where the Town could best maximize returns.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion authorizing the Town Clerk to take action following December 21; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.
6. Any Items from Council Members
Mayor Fennell asked for any items from Council members; and with nothing said, Mayor Fennell reported that he continued to be discouraged about finding grant monies for a Town water system. He explained that Whitsett does not qualify for grant money because it is not situated in rural area, and the median income in the Town is too high.
With hopes of finding grant money in a downward spiral, Mayor Fennell suggested that the Town take the avenue of opening up dialogue with the City of Burlington officials, who have agreed to be the Town’s water provider by tapping into the Burlington water main that runs down Highway 70. The Town, however, must provide the means to access water and the infrastructure to operate the public water system.
Mayor Fennell stated that he thought it beneficial to form a Committee consisting of the Town Administrator Gary Deal and one or two Councilmembers to take on the task of approaching Burlington on options for water provisions. This meeting would also serve to initiate a much-needed rapport with Burlington officials.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion that the Committee be formed; motion seconded by Councilmember Cindy Wheeler. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Fennell also added that he had contacted Congressman Howard Coble who asked the Town to assemble a package in support of the Congressman and his staffers to seek possible federal funding to help the Town. Dr. Ken Rudo, the State toxicologist who conducted the lab tests on the water samples collected, would compose an accompanying letter to the Congressman stating the severity
of health risks and urgency of action.
7. Announcements
Mayor Fennell asked for any announcements; and there were none.
8. Speakers from the Floor
Mayor Fennell asked for speakers from the floor; and there were none.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Planning Board
Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia reported that the December Board meeting had been cancelled; but, at the January 2 meeting, Greg Niles, the County Director for Planning and Development would be present to discuss embarking on the formulating of a land-use plan for Whitsett, which would also entail setting down some architectural design standards for new commercial development.
Board Chairman Maccia also reported that three seats on the Planning Board were up for reappointment; those seats are currently held by himself, Paul Lewis, and Patrick Hickey. All three are interested in continuing to serve on the Board; however, the number of consecutive terms that a Planning Board member could serve was in question, which needs to be resolved before any new appointments could be made. Therefore, at next month’s Town Council meeting, Planning Board Chairman Maccia will formally recommend to Council members the
2008 Planning Board members and alternates.
2. Enforcement Committee
Gary Deal reported that the Committee would be meeting with Greg Niles
prior to the Planning Board meeting on January 2 to discuss the County’s assessment of various Whitsett properties in violation of Town ordinances
and requiring clean up; and then to see if the Town would like any further
action taken by the County.
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that since last month’s meeting, one development clearance permit had been issued to Melvin Brown to construct a shed on his property at 7126 Gusenbury Road.
Town Administrator Gary Deal reported that he still had not received any responses to his emails to County Commissioner Billy Yow and to Betty Garrett of the County Planning Department, inquiring about County funds for a public water system in Whitsett.
Town Administrator Deal also reported that during the latest Solid Waste Meeting, a grant was introduced as an incentive for increased and improved recycling efforts. He stated that two possible instances which could prove worthwhile for the Town to participate in this recycling initiative would be the Ballfield grounds and/or the Concession Stand area; he would make contact.
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 December 11 Town Council meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Town Council will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday,
January 8, 2008 at the Whitsett Town Hall.
/s/ /s/
_________________________________ _________________________________
Jo Hesson, Town Clerk Richard Fennell, Mayor
APPROVED: January 8, 2008