Town of Woodland Board Minutes
Date: December 3, 2020
7:00 PM

Board/Staff Present:

Randy Beale – Mayor
David Cooper – Commissioner
Barbara Outland – Commissioner
Brian Christison – Commissioner
Ricky Morris - Commissioner
Donielle McDermott – Town Clerk
Eddie Hoggard – Police Chief
Raymond Eaton - ORC

Call to Order: Mayor Beale called the meeting to order at 7pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silent reflection.

Approval of Agenda: The first item of business was the approval or amendment of the agenda. Commissioner Morris made a motion to approve the agenda as is. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: The next item on the agenda was the approval or amendment of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting dated November 5, 2020, Special Called Meeting dated November 16, 2020, and Closed Session Minutes dated October 1, 2020. Commissioner Morris made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.

Consideration of Bills: Commissioner Christison made a motion to pay all the current bills and to also pay all the regular bills that come in throughout the month. Commissioner Outland seconded and the motion carried.

Public Comments: Patty Deneen asked via email when Spruce Street would be fixed. Raymond Eaton said he has received an estimate from one company and will get another estimate on the cost for our maintenance department to fix the road. Commissioner Cooper said he is sure we can fix it cheaper than hiring it out.

Donielle McDermott read thank you cards to the board from Anne Outland, Cleve and Brenda Bowen, and a Christmas card from Northampton County Chamber of Commerce.

Fire Department: Robbie Collier read the monthly response log which will be included in the Minute Book.

a. Robbie Collier informed the board that the county landfill will not take the cinder blocks from the building we want to demolish because they are painted. However, we can take them to the landfill in Bertie County for $77.33 per ton. Mr. Collier estimates the total tons for the blocks to be 111 which would put the cost around $8,000. His recommendation is to only dispose the cinder blocks at the landfill for $8,000 and dispose the rest in the town landfill to save money. Mr. Collier said that Jay Watson from the county suggested we get an asbestos inspection before we move forward. The cost for this is $100/hr and it will take up to six hours, plus $8/sample and they usually take 10-12 samples, for a total cost of about $700. Robbie Collier has started the demolition permit but needs to know the cost of the demolition to complete the permit. He would like to give Johnny Sykes the information on where the materials will be going in order for him to give the fire department a quote.

a. Commissioner Cooper made a motion to approve the asbestos testing so the fire department can move forward with the demolition permit. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.
b. Commissioner Christison made a motion to take the painted cinder blocks to the Bertie County landfill and the remaining material to be taken to the town’s landfill. Commissioner Morris seconded and the motion carried.

On another note, the fire department would like the weight machine in the armory before the town sells the armory.

b. Commissioner Outland made a motion to approve the Nonprofit Funding Application for the fire department to Northampton County. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.
c. Mickel Pruden asked Mrs. McDermott to ask the board permission to get a credit card for fire department purchases with a limit of $2,500. Commissioner Cooper made a motion to issue the fire department a credit card with a limit of $2,500 to Mickel Pruden with authorization for Chris Collier to use as well. Commissioner Morris seconded and the motion carried.

Robbie Collier said the Deer Tournament Fundraiser was highly successful, raising around $14,000 for the fire department. He thanked the board for all their support and gave the Town Board and employees an invitation to the Ladies Night Supper in January.

Police Report: Chief Eddie Hoggard read his monthly police report which will be included in the Minute Book. We are still waiting for the $24,500 equipment grant funds that we were approved for. January 31, 2021 is the deadline for Chief Hoggard to apply for next year’s grant.

Chief Hoggard has two applicants for a part time position.

Clerk Report: Donielle McDermott said she asked Mickel Pruden to hold off on spending with the fire department for a little while because if we continue with the current spending trend we will spend over budget.

Maintenance Report: Raymond Eaton read the monthly report which will be included in the Minute Book.

a. An SSO Press Release was sent out on November 13, 2020 and it was shared with the board. Commissioner Cooper suggested adding how much rain we received so years later we will know why there was an overflow.
b. Tommy Wright contacted Raymond Eaton regarding the wastewater treatment plant land. Mr. Wright owns the land surrounding our land and was concerned about people hunting on our land being a liability issue. Commissioner Cooper said this may need to be looked into further. We may need to meet with a game warden to get a better understanding of the laws and rights according to the state.
c. The board discussed applicants for the maintenance department. Commissioner Cooper, Commissioner Morris, and Raymond Eaton will meet next week, December 10, 2020 at 5:30 to go over the applications.

CDBG:

a. Luther Culpepper has been in touch with the Burgwyn’s lawyer and the paperwork for the town to purchase ½ acre of their land is being done. They will contact us when it is ready.

Zoning Report: The state has issued new zoning requirements for Chapter 160D. These changes to our zoning need to be rewritten and in effect by July of 2021. Raymond Eaton has contacted a company recommended by the UCPCOG and his estimate to update our zoning for this is $2,995. Mr. Eaton said he will ask the company if we can be billed for this in July, after the new budget begins.

Armory: The deadline for bids to be received is December 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The board will meet that evening at 5:00 p.m. to open the bids.

Comments from the Mayor: Mayor Beale encouraged everyone to continue being safe.

Comments from the Commissioners: Commissioner Morris asked the board who is charge of the area behind the Woodland Olney Apartments. He said it is very messy with trash and broken glass. The board said it is the town’s responsibility to keep it clean. Commissioner Morris suggested we use community service volunteers to clean if and when we are able to get some workers.

Commissioner Christison asked if there are any grants available to repave the walking track behind the apartments.

Raymond Eaton said we need to keep that ditch in mind if we do any work behind the apartments. The ditch needs to be built back up.

Public Comments; Anne Uffner asked the board who is responsible for cleaning the sidewalks. Raymond Eaton said public works is responsible. Mrs. Uffner said she took it upon herself to clean one side by her house, but she does not want to do that again. Mr. Eaton asked her to call the town hall in the future and let us know they need to be cleaned and the maintenance crew will get it done. Mrs. Uffner asked if it is the residents job to keep their sidewalk clean, and the town said no, it is the town’s job. Mrs. Uffner then asked if something could be done with all the traffic not stopping at the intersection of Linden and Main Street. Chief Hoggard said he will do what he can to keep an eye on that area.

Raymond Eaton asked the board for permission to replace the shaving at the memorial park with rock to make it look nicer. Commissioner Cooper said he will donate the rock.
Adjourn: Commissioner Christison made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Morris seconded and the motion carried.