Grifton Board Meets

GRIFTON  — Gene Fleming was sworn in prior to the workshop session of the Grifton Board of Commissioners last Wednesday afternoon.

Fleming, who served several years on the board in the past, was selected by commissioners last month to replace Ralph Thaxton. Thaxton, who is under felony indictment for allegedly assaulting a poll worker last November, resigned the seat effective April 6.

Town Clerk Pat Bryan provided the oath of office to Fleming who took the new appointment in stride and immediately went to work as a board member.

In the monthly workshop session at 4 p.m. the board heard that flood insurance premiums in Grifton, for both the town and its citizens, may be reduced by as much as 7.25 percent. Town Administrator Michael Peoples said the percentage is a preliminary one, but if it comes to be will be an “awesome accomplishment”. He credits the town’s mitigation project and buyout program as reasons for the potential of lowering of the premiums.

Peoples said a proposed water shortage supply plan must be prepared and adopted by the board before being provided to the state. He said the document won’t be binding but is simply a plan in the event there is a water shortage. He said The Wooten Company has been working on the document.

Peoples also suggested that the town give its auditing contract back to Pittard, Perry and Crone, Inc., the accounting firm that has done the board’s audit for many years. He cited a new requirement, GASB 34, as the reason for staying with the same firm since it already has much of the information that it will require to meet the new regulation. Essentially GASB 34 will require the town to develop inventories of its assets, such as the various infrastructures, including water, sewer and sidewalks. The firm is proposing a fee of $11,500 for the town’s audit. Fleming questioned the figure saying the board used to get the audit accomplished for $6,500. It was noted the board has paid about $9,000 in previous years and the GASB 34 requirement has added another $2,500 to the tab.

Mayor Tim Bright talked about a police department grant for CPR and AED training as well as the purchase of two defibrillators through Project HeartBeat. Bright said the special equipment is a first responder type unit and a lifesaving device. The match is $500 each for $7,000 worth of equipment or a total of $1,000, according to the mayor. “It is well-worth more than the $1,000 in protecting our citizens,” Bright stated.

The board discussed the failing tile at Buckleberry Canal and the Lewis Drive area. Peoples said the town would share in the cost of a 60-inch, 5-ft long pipe. The cost has yet to be determined. Discussion also centered on a related issue in the Lewis Drive area and the board’s desire to get rid of the flooding issue there.

It was reported that the town will do shoulder work on Cannon Blvd. and in Forest Acres and Dawson Rd. The shoulders will be cut back to asphalt and the streets will be swept once the work is complete. Peoples said the shoulders would be sloped to get the drainage off the road in every area if it is possible. He noted that the town does have areas where it is impossible to get the slope.

Fleming pointed out that the town does have a problem with drainage and he said it would probably take engineers to solve it. Peoples said he has already talked to the engineer firms about doing an inventory of all drainage ditches and the location of retention and detention ponds. Peoples said he hopes to get planning money to do the inventory as well as grants to get the work done. “ looks real good right now to get that done,” Peoples stated.

The board will also take up the question of reducing the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph in both Forest Acres and the Country Club. The police department made the request for Forest Acres while citizens have been asking for a speed reduction in Country Club. The Field of Dreams speed limit is already at 25 mph. The board basically felt it should be done in both subdivisions. Commissioner Billy Kornegay said the speed change should be well advertised so the public is fully aware of it. The board made tentative plans to adopt the change at its next regular meeting and make it effective on June 15. 

The board discussed some tax foreclosure property, pointing out that the property has a building that the fire department can burn down, so an asbestos survey must be completed. It was noted that there are several people interested in buying the lot. The town will decide weather to burn the building or let a new owner do it.

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