Grifton Board Meets

GRIFTON  — The Grifton Board of Commissioners tabled a sewer extension discussion in an effort to allow more time for the engineers to bring forth a final and cheaper option.

For the past few months the town has been toying with three options that deal with extending sewer service to The Baptist Men on North Highland Avenue. The board seemed all set to accept the third of three options presented by the engineering firm of The Wooten Company. Not only would the extension serve The Baptist Men but also Cox Properties on the west side of Highland Avenue. Town Administrator Michael Peoples told the board that The Wooten Company may have a cheaper option and are working on it now. The third option would have cost the town $32,000. The total project cost under Option 3 is $50,000 with The Baptist Men obligating to pay $15,000 and Cox properties $3,000. Peoples said the cost of the fourth option is not yet known but is believed to be “a whole lot less” than any of the other options.

The board approved the consent agenda items as follows:

•Set a public hearing on September 14, 2004 at 7:15 p.m. to received public comment on the hazard Mitigation Plan update.

•Set a public hearing for an amendment to the NRWASA Articles of Incorporation on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at 7:10 p.m.

•Budget Amendment: Increase revenue received to FEMA Administration and increase the Code Update section under community development to fund the Hazard Mitigation Plan update and the Annexation Study. Increase funding in the drainage line item under streets.

•Declared the property on Main Street that the Town of Grifton obtained through tax foreclosure as surplus and will begin steps for bidding, with a minimum bid set at $3,000.

•Approved a grant application to the NC Division of Tourism, which requires a 3-1 match. The cost to Grifton would be $1,156 for a $3,500 grant to market the Creekside RV Park.

•Approved the fixed asset threshold from $500 to $1,000. This action will also be retroactive to all purchases.

•Approved a resolution of agreement to amend the Inter-local agreement for water supply for the Neuse River Water and Sewer Authority (NRWASA).

•Approved the purchase of rules sign for the Creekside Overlook Park from Whitehurst Sign Company in Ayden.

In other action the board set a public hearing on September 14, 2004 at 6:50 p.m. to receive public comment regarding the performance of New Wave Communications. The public hearing was requested by Thomas Lynch, Pitt County Information Officer.

The board also discussed hosting a five-year remembrance of Hurricane Floyd celebration in Grifton. Discussion centered on not having much time to work on an event. Mayor Bright said, “This is a traumatic event for most of Grifton’s citizens.” He suggested a steering committee of local citizens to see if something can be accomplished by September 16. Commissioner Gene Fleming suggested having a celebration remembering it in another way. Fleming said “I’d rather we have some publication in the paper rather than go half-handed (toward a celebration).”

Peoples reported to the board that the tiling for the Lewis Drive Drainage Improvements is relatively complete. He said there is still some landscaping to do as well as adding some catch basins.

Peoples brought the board up to speed with several announcements. He noted that the town’s application for a $40,000 grant to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund had made it through the first round. He said the grant, if received, would enable the town to inventory his drainage system and conduct a feasibility study for retention ponds.

Peoples said the town has a grant application in to the Golden Leaf Foundation but will not hear anything from it until November. He added that he has not heard from a Rural Center grant application either.

Peoples announced that an informational meeting for the Contentnea Creek snagging project would be held Tuesday, August 31, 7 p.m. at the town hall.

He alerted the board to the fact that a requirement of the audit procedure is the mailing of a fraud questionnaire to all board members.

He showed the board maroon and white banners that will be put on poles around town. He said there are twenty-two of the banners and they have a drawing of the old Grifton Depot on them.

Commissioner Billy Kornegay questions who is responsible for taking care of the front entrance at the Field of Dreams Subdivision, noting that the grass is high.

He also commented about a pastor who wanted a group home on Queen Street. Kornegay was told that the pastor would have to appear before the Planning Board.

Kornegay also reported about a resident being unhappy about the installation of tile on Main Street. He said the driveway is already caving in. “We’ve got to give him some attention because it is terrible,” Kornegay stated. “The ditch bank was cut and cuttings were left in the bottom of the ditch. It’s in worse shape now than before.”

Kornegay also asked that trash cans not be left in the streets. “They need to put them on the side of the road, not in the streets,” the Grifton commissioner said. 

Commissioner Richard Hill asked that the mosquito truck be slowed down. He said there is a problem with mosquitoes and that the truck is being drive through town too fast. Commissioner Bill Smith agreed.

The board entered a closes session to meet with an attorney.

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