August 2009
Norwood Council Adopts 2009-2010 Budget
The Norwood Town Council adopted the 2009/2010 budget totaling $2,742,703. The General Fund budget is $1,818,022 and the Enterprise Fund budget is $924,681. No services were cut, but very little new equipment was included and no new services are planned. The new budget did not include a property tax increase or a water and sewer increase. Solid waste did increase by $1.00 per month and water and sewer taps increased as follows:
Water tap—increased from $500 to $750
Gravity sewer tap—increased from $600 to $1,000
E-1 pump sewer tap—increased from $3,000 to $4,000
Sewer availability fee—increased from $400 to $500
Water availability fee—$250 (new fee)
New Park Closing Hours
New closing hours have been posted at the Darrell Almond Community Park and Norwood Memorial Park. Both parks will close at 9 p.m. unless there is an organized activity.
Golf Carts on Norwood Roads
It has been brought to the attention of the Norwood Police Department there may be a misconception about golf carts and ATVs on Norwood-owned streets and state-maintained roads in the Norwood area. Golf carts that are not equipped to meet special requirements of the North Carolina Department of Transportation are not permitted on the streets mentioned above. Anyone operating a golf cart on these streets is subject to receiving a traffic violation. For more information contact the Norwood Police Department.
Survey
If a bus service was started in the Norwood area, would you ride the bus to work or to shop instead of driving your auto? Please respond by calling the Norwood Police Department at (704) 474-3716. Your Identity will not need to be known.
Summer Reminder of Town Curfew For Minors
It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 16 to be in or upon or remain in or upon any public place within the town or on any property or right-of-way belonging to the town and located inside the corporate limits of the town between the hours of midnight Friday and 5 a.m. on Saturday or between midnight Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday or between the hours of 11p.m. and 5 a.m. of the following mornings: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. These restrictions do not apply to any minor who is accompanied by a custodian, accompanied by a responsible person over 18 years of age who has the written permission of the minor’s custodian to have the minor under his/her supervision, traveling in connection with his/her employment, religious activity, or attendance at a function sponsored by the town or school, temporarily within the town or on town property while engaged in interstate travels, or attempting to obtain assistance in a medical emergency.
Lake Shore Pump Station
Construction will soon begin on the new Lake Shore wastewater pump station. The pump station will serve the Lake Shore area and Edgewater subdivision.
New Water Disconnection Policy
A new disconnection policy was adopted recently as follows: On “cut-off day”, once the list of customers slated for disconnection due to non-payment is printed, those customers are considered disconnected. Customer are no longer permitted to call in for payment arrangements or delay Town maintenance workers once the list is established. In order to be reconnected, customers must pay the entire bill plus a $50 reconnection fee.
Did You Know?
...It is time to start planning Arbor Day 2010? All volunteers are welcome. Please call 704-474-3416.
...The Norwood City Fire Department is accepting new members. Get involved in a community organization that protects property and lives.
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December 2009
Alphonzo L. Rush
Norwood Commissioner Alphonzo Rush passed away Dec. 26, 2009. The Town employees, Administration and Council wish to express condolences to his family and friends. Alphonzo will be missed, he served his community well. Kelsey Funeral Home in Albemarle is in charge of arrangements.
Leaf Pick Up
The fall season has come and now winter is here, most of the beautiful trees in Norwood have lost their leaves, Norwood employees will be picking up leaves from the curbs.
Please place leaves behind the sidewalk or curb and not in the street. Leaves placed in the street are dangerous and the person leaving the leaves on the street could be liable for any damages that result from objects being placed in the street.
Lake Shore Pump Station
The Lake Shore pump station that will help several areas in Norwood will soon be under construction. The new $250,000 facility will serve the Lake Shore area for wastewater collection.
Norwood's Business District
Norwood's tax base is growing, but the business district is not. If anyone has an idea that would help Norwood attract business, please (704) 474-3416 and someone will spend time discussing your idea(s).
ATTENTION: All you good cooks!!!
There will be cash prizes offered at Arbor Day 2010 for the best persimmon pudding, the best persimmon pie and the best persimmon cake. So, now's the time to be squeezing that persimmon pulp and freezing for the contest!!!
GOOD LUCK!
Use of Norwood Memorial Park
(Turner Street Park)
Norwood Memorial Park is available for tournaments as long as they are for non-profit organizations. The policy for using the park has changed and it is necessary to fill out a form before use is permitted. Norwood's Town Administrator is the contact person regarding the scheduling of events at this park.
Norwood Police Department Reminder
The police department would like to encourage all citizens to take pride in our community and particularly in our parks.
We have been having problems recently with vandalism at Norwood Memorial Park on West Turner Street. If anyone sees any crimes while in our parks, please call 911.
People are walking dogs at Darrell Almond Community Park on the walking trail instead of the trail designated for dogs. If anyone sees any park rules being violated, please call the Stanly County Communications Non-Emergency number at (704) 986-3700 and request a Norwood Police Officer. Individuals my also call the Norwood Police Department at (704) 474-3716 with any other tips that would assist in our continuing fight against crime in the Norwood Community.
Water Disconnection Policy
Water bills are due on the 10th of each month. If the 10th falls on a weekend, they are due the followng Monday. If not paid by the due date, a 10% penalty is added. If not paid by the 3rd of the following month, accounts are subject to cut-off on the 4th. Once disconnected an account must be paid in full (past-due and current amounts) plus a $50 re-connection fee
August 2010
Solid Waste Collection Facts
The Town of Norwood spent $386,939.63 to collect solid waste
for fiscal year 2009-2010.
Changes in Services for the Town of Norwood
The Norwood town government and staff want call attention to the country's economic problems. Almost every government agency and every private citizen has to cut back on spending, and the town of Norwood has to also.
Therefore, some changes in services and increase in costs of services are necessary. Changes are as follows:
1. Norwood sanitation workers will no longer pick up construction/demolition materials or:
a) Wooden pallets
b) Tree limbs larger than 4 inches in diameter
c) Grass clippings/tree limbs cut by a landscaping service, tree-cutting company or a person paid by the resident. Waste Management will pick up construction/demolition materials for a fee call (704) 982-1224.
2. Norwood will no longer furnish solid waste carts for commercial or industrial users. Each will need to contract with a solid waste company.
3. Rent for the community building at Norwood Memorial Park will be increased to $100 for four hours.
4. Rent for the picnic shelters at Darrell Almond Community Park will be increased to $40 for four hours for the main shelter and $25 for four hours at the creek-side shelter.
5. Due to increased costs of chemicals and water/sewer materials, maintenance of very old utility lines, and continually increasing state regulations, the price of water and sewer will be increased 10%, or about $4 per month for the average residence.
6. A maximum of four yard or garage sales will be allowed at any given address in the town limits during a calendar year. Permits are issued at the Norwood Police Department at a cost of $5. Norwood police officers will enforce the ordinance by stopping at yard sales and asking to see permits. If no permit has been purchased, the officer will be able to assist by issuing a permit and collecting the fee at that time.
Norwood government officials, administration and staff realize how painful these changes are, but they are necessary to keep Norwood financially stable, and they ask for the towns residents for support.
New Business Opens on South Main Street
Edwards Flowers and Gifts opened on July 5. The business is located at 236 South Main Street and is managed by Judy and Tommy Murrel, Richard Lisenby will be the floral designer. The shop also offers gifts and art by Judy Murrell.
Leaves & Limbs
Norwood employees pick up limbs and leaves weekly. There is no need to call Town Hall about them, but we will be glad to talk with you if you would like to call.
Please do not put leaves or limbs in the street - they could cause an accident and will surely stop up a storm drain and cause street flooding.
Street Lighting
Duke Energy provides a form on their Website to report streetlights that are burned out or not working properly. To access the form go to www.dukeenergy.com and click on the following items:
- Storm and Outage Information
- North Carolina
- Report a Streetlight/Outdoor Light Repair
- Complete the form and click the Submit button
If you do not have Internet access, you may call Nellie Thompson at the Norwood Police Department (704) 474-3716 and report the outage.
Recycling Services
There is a lot of interest in recycling these days, especially since the restriction placed on cans and plastic going into landfills.
There are several places to dispose your cans and plastics. In both our community Parks, Darrell Almond Community Park and Memorial Park there are special dumpsters to deposit cans and plastic bottles. Stanly County has a recycling bin at the convenience center on Pee Dee Avenue.
Two new recycling bins have been placed in Norwood. One is at the Norwood Maintenance Shop at the corner of Blalock Street and Anson Avenue. The other is just off Candalon Field Street in Norwood near Darrell Almond Community Park and Clifford Hurt Field.
Please drop off your recyclables at any of these locations.
Zoning Tid-Bits
1. The Norwood zoning ordinance restricts signs. The Norwood Zoning officer must approve each sign before it is installed.
2. Accessory buildings are regulated as well. Accessory buildings must be located a certain distance from the property line.
Solid Waste Collection