Grifton Board

By: Mitchell Oakley

GRIFTON — In their workshop session Wednesday, September 1, 2004, the Grifton Board of Commissioners asked its town administrator to come up with a fair assessment when sewer is installed for the Baptist Men and RoadMaster.

Town Administrator Michael Peoples explained that The Wooten Company had come up with a new way to get the Baptist Men and Roadmaster on the town’s sewer system. Essentially it would require the respective companies to install their own pumps, leaving the town out of the picture. The effort would actually save the Baptist Men money but would be more than RoadMaster  has allocated for the project. In either case, the two entities must accept voluntary contiguous annexation. The town’s cost would also be less since it would eliminate some engineering and permitting costs.

The board set the following agenda for its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 14:

-Public hearing was set to receive public comment regarding the proposed NRWASA amendment to the Articles of Incorporation

- Public hearing was set to receive public comment regarding New Wave Communications (cable television). Mr. Thomas Lynch, Pitt County Information Officer, will be presenting information.

- Public hearing about the town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.

-Adoption of the rules and regulations and the application for rental of the park building at St. David Street. The board wants to make sure noise is eliminated and addressed and the hours be firmly set.

-Approval of a job description of Operations Director and begin the process of hiring for this position.

Much discussion was forthcoming. It was pointed out that the person in the position would be responsible for a lot of different tasks, including paperwork, safety training, safety training, overseeing contract work, and organizing the operations of the service portion of the town. The majority of commissioners seem reluctant to go forward with the hiring until budget concerns can be addressed as well as the job description can be fully reviewed.

Peoples indicated that he felt the money would be available, saying he felt the town would see an additional $75,000 forthcoming in the ad valoreum taxes, a figure that brought shock to several board members. Peoples said he is basing this on what the tax billing was.

Fleming suggested a “wait and see” attitude to see if the funds came in as expected. Commissioner Bill Smith said he felt the job description is too  limited at present. “We need to work on the job description, ”Smith said. “I see it as a good concept, but I don’t think we’re there yet.” Smith wants to job description not to be limited to just utilities.

The position will cost the town about $34,000. Commissioner Johnny Craft said he doesn’t believe the position will help get more work done. “Right now I would not vote for it,” he said.

Commissioner Richard Hill expressed concern for other employees noting that the board is talking about adding a position but not about giving present employees more money.

Fleming added, “I support the idea. Let’s iron out the wrinkles. I think each of us are obligated to feed you (Mike) our ideas.”

-Will ask that CMR request the town to release it from its contractual responsibilities of code enforcement in Grifton. Peoples said the company doesn’t have time to do Grifton’s code enforcement. He suggested the board could use Clark Planning at the same cost per hour of $45. 

In other matters the board did not want to offer credit card services because of the service charge. They did want town hall to encourage bank drafts.

It was reported that the Town of Ayden is amenable to contracting with the town for street sweeping services.

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