Grifton Board Meets

GRIFTON — Grifton’s Board of Commissioners met briefly last Tuesday night to adopt the 2004 Land Use Plan before going into closed session to “consider the qualifications, competences, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee.”

The board discussed the Land Use Plan, as presented by William Smith. The Planning Board recommended approval of the updated plan and the board voted to adopt unanimously. Commissioner Ralph Thaxton originally made a motion to table the plan for further discussion. “I’m not really happy with the way it’s put together but if the majority of the board is happy with it, I’ll go along with it,” Thaxton said.

Following its business session the board entered closed session to evaluate Town Administrator Michael Peoples. In returning to open session the board raised Peoples’ salary from $44,400 to $48,000 and increased his travel allowance from $375 per month to $400.

Before discussing items on the consent agenda, Grifton Police Chief Warren Morrisette introduced their newest patrolmen, P.K. Sinhal to the board.  Morrisette told the board he is planning to hold three applications for reserve positions on the squad.

Commissioner Thaxton asked if Town Administrator Michael Peoples had any say in the hiring of the new officers. Morrisette said Peoples had not and that the hiring was done by a board of law enforcement officers. Morrisette told Thaxton he put the board together and that Ayden’s Police Chief B.E. Benson was among those selected for the board.

Thaxton stated he had a problem with Peoples not having any say in the hiring process and said he would discuss that at a later time.

Grifton Fire Chief Ed Meeks also spoke to the board and announced the Fire Department had recently received a $405,000 FEMA grant to purchase a ladder truck.

“I was tickled to get it, very, very lucky. This has been a good year. I think we’re very fortunate to be where we’re at,” Meeks said.

Grifton’s fire department received the second highest amount in the state. The top amount was $450,000.

The consent agenda was approved 4-0 with a change in time for the Town of Grifton Arbor Day Celebration that was held on Friday, March 12. The time was changed from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 am. Other items approved on the consent agenda included:

*approval of a contract with the Wooten Company for a drainage study and specification creation in the Lewis Drive area.

* appointment of Michael Peoples to the Mid-East Commission as well as to the Mid-East RPO.

*approval of a construction plat for Birch Road Subdivision under the HOME project.

* approval of proposed rules and regulations for the Contentnea Creekside RV and Trail Park

* approval of the budget amendments as listed.

Commissioner Thaxton commented that he thought elected officials were supposed to be on the boards, referring to Peoples recent appointment to both the Mid-East Commission and the Mid-East RPO board. Peoples stated that he did not mind serving on the boards and would try to attend as many meetings as possible.

The board discussed entering into a contract with Harris Engineering and Surveying for NCDOT Enhancement Project to install a sidewalk on Church Street from Grifton School to St. David Street. Peoples told the board that for $3800, Harris’ Engineering would put together a topographical survey where the sidewalk would be laid as well as the designs for the project.  The board voted 4-0 to go with the project.

The board also discussed a grand opening ceremony for the Contentnea Creek Overlook Park and the Contentnea Creek Trail and RV Park. March 25 at 11:00 a.m. was discussed. Peoples told the board a lot had been accomplished with the installation of the picnic tables and benches. Peoples expects the park to be open and running in time for the Shad Festival at the end of the month.

Water options were also discussed briefly at the Commissioner’s regular meeting. Peoples told the board he recommended moving ahead with WASA because the town had been with them from the beginning.

Commisioner Richard Hill disagreed with going with WASA, stating that everything would be going up in the next 40 years and expressed concerns for citizens being able to afford going with WASA.

“Everything’s going up in the next 40 years,” Hill said. “If I’ve got a doubt, I’m not going to agree.”

Commissioner Billy Kornegay felt WASA was the best decision and Commissioner Ralph Thaxton made a motion to go with WASA. The board voted 3-1 to stick with WASA. Commissioner Hill opposed.

“Sometimes the cheapest isn’t always the best.” Commissioner Kornegay said.

Board Notes From Its March Workshop

In administrative updates, Town Administrator Michael Peoples reported:

•The Gordon Street Tree Project is completed as far as what Progress Energy is going to do. Logs have to be cut into 16-foot lengths and removed. There are other dead trees on other streets that need to be removed in town.

•The drainage project in the Lewis Drive area has been loved over and to draw up specifications to bid the project will cost the town $10,000. The Wooten Company proposes to do the work and Peoples believes the amount of money is too much. He did say that this is a “not-to-exceed” amount. The proposals will not only shoot grades but include a flow study as well. Peoples said this needs to be done so that when the work is done it will be done correctly, instead of by guesswork.

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