The five hundred and seventy-fourth session of the board of Aldermen, Village of Alamance, July 28th, 2025, 7:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Tichy, Alderman Andrews, Alderman Hunt, Alderman Crouse, Alderman Tichy, Alderman Cheap

Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Isley

Invocation and call to order given by Alderman Cheap

Approval of Agenda: Alderman Tichy motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Alderman Cheap. Motion carries 5-0.

Approval of June 23^rd, Regular Meeting Minutes: Alderman Andrews makes a motion to approve the June 23^rd minutes, seconded by Alderman Crouse. The motion carries 5-0.

Public Comment

No public comment

OLD BUSINESS

Mike Davis with Stonewall Construction addresses the board regarding the Utility building. He states that they finally have a permit in hand and will need to arrange for sign plan approval, with August 11th being the finalization date.

Engineer Report:

Mr. Novelli states that the Street Repairs for FY 24-25 are still on schedule to be completed after the storm drainage is installed. Cardinal Lane Drainage Issue: Mr. Novelli states that negotiations have been completed, and they are working on executing the easement so that we can have the contractor remobilized and resume construction. Heritage Glen Phase 5C.2: Mr. Novelli states the contractors are back on site and have completed the installation of curbs and gutters. Water Quality Issue: Mr. Novelli stated that flushing was completed; however, the system has shown signs of dirty water in residential homes. Mr. Novelli and Mr. Allred are discussing and working towards a solution. SL 2023-134: DWI approved the transfer of the $73,633 to the Cardinal Lane project, allowing us to submit for reimbursement, to use the funding on the Birch Rd Pump station. We will need to decline funding for the SCADE project, allowing us to submit a Request for Funding of $120,000 for the Birch Rd. At the Pump station, work is being done to submit all documentation. At 2175 Tradition Drive, AWCK took survey points out on the subject property to ensure drainage. It was determined to be graded correctly and draining downhill. County Line Wastewater Services LLC has been contracted to move forward with the work at a price of $5,400. Wetter weather has caused delays in completion, but the project is anticipated to be completed in the coming weeks. The sidewalk/driveway improvements: AWCK solicited for bids, and the bids came in well above the projected budget. A few options moving forward: increasing the scope would allow contractors more incentives to complete the work at a more reasonable price. AWCK recommends looking back at the project partially designed in 2023. Making all sidewalks five feet in width and ADA compliant, another option would be re-advertising the bid and re-attempting to receive bids from contractors that would be willing to complete the small project, allowing an extended time frame to submit bids. Mayor Tichy asks Mr. Novelli to prepare for a change in the scope of work for the bid proposal. Mr. Novelli states there have been some Drainage Complaints received over the past few months. The Village has the option of whether they would like to act on either of these matters, as our stormwater ordinance states that both issues are the responsibility of the homeowner. Michelle Fox, 4534 Alamance Baptist Church Loop, has requested to enact our 50/50 stormwater program to investigate the proper sizing and elevation for her driveway culvert. Her culvert was observed to be below the existing swale, and she would like it brought up to drain correctly. Michelle Fox submitted a formal letter for review. Mayor Tichy addresses the board, asking if they are willing to proceed with having AWCK investigate the complaint to determine the cost. Alderman Cheap asks if Mrs. Fox is willing to pay for this. As stated in her letter, Mrs. Fox is willing to pay. The board is willing to have AWCK assess what needs to be done. Mr. Bright, 4501 Alamance Baptist Church Loop, has brought up a complaint about the water that is running through his property off the end of the pipe discharge off 2175 Tradition Dr. He requested the installation of a swale along his property line to run the water to the existing creek towards the front of his property. An official letter has not been submitted at this time. Mayor Tichy addressed the board to let them know that the water flow is currently the way it has always been. The Village has not changed the flow of the water, so the board has decided not to proceed with this.

ORC Report: 

Mr. Allred states that on June 6^th, the Village had over ten inches of rain, and there was a lot of infiltration at all pump stations because the City of Burlington’s line would not take any more. There was no overflow during this. Mr. Allred states there were six alarms at Birch, three from NC 62, & one from Pond Station. Mr. Allred states that the state likes you to smoke the lines to make sure nothing is coming in that is not supposed to be coming in, and that has not been done in years. Everything is working well at Pond Station. There were a few alarms at the NC 62 Pump Station; & the manholes were underwater, but everything is working fine currently.

(Birch Pump Station is discussed in ‘New Business’)

New Business

Civil Penalties for 4250 S NC 62:

Mrs. Folwell informs the board that Ashley Stout was unable to attend the meeting due to testing positive for COVID. Mrs. Stout submitted an official letter. Mrs. Folwell reads the email to the board. The Village did get the letters back that were supposed to be delivered to her, notifying her of the violation. Mrs. Stout stated that the only thing she received in her mailbox was a Post-it note saying that she had mail. When she picked up the mail from the Post Office, one of the letters was from June. The other letter stated that she had already started to accumulate fines, and that it was 7 days past the date when she got the letter. As soon as she was made aware of the violation, she had it taken care of right away. Mayor Tichy has requested that Mrs. Folwell speak with SCE about sending an uncertified letter to the property owner as well, to ensure they are getting the notifications. Alderman Andrews makes a motion to waive the Civil Penalties, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0.

Public Recreation Update:

Mrs. Folwell states that Tim Collins has requested to return to the planning board and has submitted all his documentation. James Coble was up for the board of adjustments as the ETJ member, and he also submitted all his documentation; both of their documents have gone through the county. If you would like to re-appoint Mr. Collins and Mr. Coble. Alderman Crouse makes a motion to re-appoint Mr. James Coble as the ETJ representative, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0 Alderman Crouse makes a motion to re-appoint Mr. Tim Collins, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 5-0.

Birch Pump Station Upgrade:

Mr. Novelli states that we have an option to install a new control panel, BFD, and pumps. This will allow single-phase power to be used temporarily but operate as a 3-phase pump. This would cost approximately $100,000. A drawdown test was performed, and it shows that we are not operating at full capacity. Mr. Novelli states it is believed to be a 3-inch force main, but we cannot confirm or deny and would like someone to verify that it is a 3-inch. There is a suspicion that some pieces were added to each end. It is something they would like to investigate before submitting the funds. If it is required to do that upsize, we will be looking at around $75,000. Mr. Allred and Mr. Novelli are requesting to conduct smoke testing (for all three pump stations) with an estimated cost of $8000. Mayor Tichy is requesting board approval to perform smoke testing and for formal engineering to develop a solution for the Birch Pump Station. Alderman Crouse makes a motion, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 5-0.

Public Recreation Update:

Mrs. Folwell states that Nolan Carter, who is part of the Alamance County Public Recreation, sent an email with some information about a T-Mobile $50,000 grant that is offered to small towns and villages. Misty informs the board that they could apply for the grant and use it to build a covered shelter where Alamance County Rec is going to put in a parking lot, two paddle access points, and possibly a spot for fishing. The board authorizes Mr. Novelli to do some preliminary design work, with the plan to apply in December.

Options to Look for a New Bank:

Mrs. Folwell states due to having several issues with Wells Fargo and Bank of America. BOA is where we have our credit card, and we have tried numerous times to cancel the old card that was used when Ben York worked here, but they refuse to do so. When Nick came, they opened a new card. Before he left, he tried to get it out of his name, but we were unable to remove his name or cancel it. They are now at the point where BOA does not want to continue with the card because they are saying we are a corporation. Mrs. Folwell has tried to explain to them that we are a municipality, and we don’t have owners. After sitting down with Wells Fargo over 2 weeks ago, we have not heard anything from them. Mrs. Folwell states she is scheduled to have a meeting with First Bank to speak with Teresa Wilson to gather the necessary information. Mrs. Folwell will be glad to call around to other banks and other towns and municipalities to see which best fits the Village of Alamance.

Public Comment

Mark Haney, 4516 Alamance Baptist Church Loop, states his neighbor is always being cited for not mowing his grass and wants to know why he is not being fined for multiple complaints. We informed Mr. Haney that the property is back in compliance when SCE comes back, which means they don’t accumulate fines.

Other Business

Mayor Tichy addresses Alderman Cheap with concerns. Mayor Tichy states he doesn’t mind Alderman Cheap meeting with the church. He would prefer him not to do it at the Town Hall, as it seems like he is acting as a Town function instead of an individual. If anything needs to be brought to the attention of the board, then Alderman Cheap can do so.

Motion made by Alderman Crouse to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 5-0

Mayor Tichy____________________________________

Hannah Quigley, Clerk_______________________________