Monday, July 20, 2009 – 12:00 Noon
Attendance: Mayor Pro Tem James Lilly, Commissioners Henry Thompson, Sr., Harold Thompson, Beverly Johnson, Alphonzo Rush, Administrator Dwight Smith, Clerk Pam Lisenby
Absent: Mayor Larry McMahon (on honeymoon)
The Norwood Town Council met for a special meeting on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 12:00 Noon at the Norwood Town Hall. The meeting had been duly advertised in THE STANLY NEWS & PRESS, as well as in the Norwood Town Hall.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly presided (in the absence of Mayor McMahon) and called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Sam Songer, visitor, was welcomed.
AGENDA ITEM #1 – WATER LINE TO EDGEWATER
Administrator Smith stated that RDR, Inc. had submitted the lowest informal bid ($99,315) for the water line project from Shore Farm Road to the Edgewater subdivision. Smith reminded Board members that this would be paid by Rex Stephens at the completion of the project.
Smith stated that Norwood would owe Cuddy Farms two six-inch taps in exchange for easements across their land to Edgewater.
Smith said that Edgewater had already installed their six-inch line to meet Norwood’s line, and that Edgewater’s water would be bought from the County.
Smith stated this was a “good deal”, adding that Norwood would get a water line that could be used for further development in the area.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly asked when construction would begin. Smith said the State permit was in place and RDR had their equipment there and was ready to go.
Commissioner Henry Thompson made a motion to award the bid for the Edgewater water line to RDR, Inc. at a price of $99,315. Commissioner Harold Thompson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Administrator Smith stated that the engineering contract was ready for the Eastover pump station project, but it could not be presented today because it had not been advertised as an agenda item for the special meeting. Smith added that the engineering contract would not be a lump sum, but an hourly rate.
AGENDA ITEM #2 – ORDINANCE #135 – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS – OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY
Administrator Smith stated that when the Police Department revised some ordinances, they failed to notice their ordinance regarding the discharging of firearms in town was not enforceable. Smith added that a policeman told a town citizen recently to go ahead and fire a gun and there was no way to stop it.
NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
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Smith presented a draft of “ORDINANCE #135 – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS – Offenses Against Public Safety” prepared by the Norwood Police Department, adding that the Ordinance had been sent to State officials to see if it was enforceable and, therefore, was not ready to be adopted.
Commissioner Rush asked why “Discarding or abandoning iceboxes” was on the same ordinance as discharging of firearms. Administrator Smith said it had to do with public safety.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked if there was another ordinance where the icebox section would better fit. Administrator Smith said he would check on this.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked if Section 2 should list black powder firearms. Administrator Smith said, “We might want to do that”.
Commissioner Johnson stated her disapproval that slingshots and air rifles were listed (as far as children were concerned).
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked if the Town could put up a firing range on the far end of Darrell Almond Park for children 12 and under. Administrator Smith thought that might be a good idea.
Administrator Smith asked Board members to take the proposed ordinance home and study it and be ready to act at August regular Board meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #3 – ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE
a) Administrator Smith stated he had done more work with the engineer on the sidewalk to Mary Branch Road and had gotten an estimate of $10,000 for concrete and steel to install the bridge on town property. Smith stated he would present this to NCDOT and get guidelines to go by.
Commissioner Harold Thompson stated he had spoken with Barry Moose of NCDOT and told him of Norwood’s plans to move the sidewalk bridge to town property. Thompson said he asked Moose if this expense could count as Norwood’s contribution toward the project, adding that Moose said he thought it could.
b) Administrator Smith stated that there had been some complaints by employees about the recent salary increases and, in light of this, he suggested looking at hiring a person in maintenance with certificates at an approximate annual salary of $40,000 (this would include retirement, insurance, and other benefits).
Commissioner Johnson asked how employees had responded to paying for a portion of their insurance. Administrator Smith said he thought the employees were expecting it.
With all advertised agenda items having been discussed, Commissioner Henry Thompson made a motion to close the meeting at 12:30 p.m.. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
JAMES LILLY, Mayor Pro Tem
(in absence of Mayor McMahon)
PAM LISENBY, Clerk