The five hundred and eight-first session of the board of Aldermen, Village of Alamance

March 23^rd, 2026

7:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Tichy, Mayor Pro Tem Isley, Alderman Crouse, Alderman Andrews, Alderman Hunt, Alderman Cass

Absent: Alderman Tichy

Invocation: Invocation given by Mr. Phil Cheap

Approval of Agenda: Alderman Hunt makes a motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carries. 5-0

Approval of Feb 23, 2026, Meeting Minutes: Alderman Andrews makes a motion to approve the February 23^rd, 2026, Meeting Minutes, seconded by Alderman Cass. Motion carries 5-0.

Public Hearing for Changes to Zoning Amendment Language in the UDO SL 2023-108. Chapter 2, Section 4.5 2. SL 2024-57 and 2025-94. Chapter 2, Article 4, Section 2.21

Mayor Tichy states that the purpose of this hearing is to receive public comments on the proposed ordinance amendments. Mrs. Folwell states the first ‘change’ is in the wording, and it states, ‘Building materials, façade, signage, design features that evidence compatibility with the surrounding area. This requirement applies only to structures that are not subject to the Residential Building Code.’ The next change, Mrs. Folwell states in section C. ‘In the course of evaluating a petition for conditional zoning for a proposed use or development, the Village may request additional information from the petitioner related to: number and location of all structures, exterior features and, building materials and architectural style for buildings that are not subject to the Residential Building Code, signage and any additional information needed to reasonably demonstrate that conditional zoning will minimize particular impacts and protect both the immediate area and the community as a whole.’ Mrs. Folwell states there is also a change in the Down-zoning prohibition: Third-party down-zonings or a rezoning that reduces allowable uses to a property are prohibited. The Village of Alamance or the landowner may initiate a down-zoning.

No amendment to zoning regulations or a zoning map that down-zones property shall be initiated, enacted, or enforced without the written consent of all property owners whose property is the subject of the down-zoning amendment. For purposes of this Section, “down-zoning” means a zoning amendment that affects an area of land in one of the following ways:

1. By decreasing the development density of the land to be less dense than was allowed under its previous usage.

2. By reducing the permitted uses of the land that are specified in a zoning amendment or land development regulation to fewer uses than were allowed under its previous usage.
3. By creating any type of nonconformity on land not in a residential zoning district, including nonconforming use, nonconforming lot, nonconforming structure, nonconforming improvement, or nonconforming site element.”

Mayor Tichy asks for any public comments from the audience. **No Public Comment** Mayor Tichy closed the public hearing and asked for a motion to adopt the changes as presented. Alderman Cass makes a motion. Second, by Mayor Pro-Tem Isley. Motion Carries 5-0.

Public Comment:

Cathera Bundren, 4412 S NC 62, states she is not here to run for office; she is here as a friend to the Village. She asked if the Board plans to vote on the Personnel Policy tonight. Mayor Tichy states that it would be a board decision, and at this point, it is still primarily a discussion item. Changes were requested, and Mrs. Folwell has made those. Mayor Tichy states that if the board decides they’re happy with what is presented to them, they could move to make a motion. Mrs. Bundren asks when the prior policy was approved and who wrote it. Mrs. Folwell states that when Mr. Farmerie was the Administrator, he wrote it, and the board approved it. Mrs. Bundren stated that the policy is not entailed enough; it’s only a policy. She states it’s like putting wheels on a tire, and you have no wheel. Mrs. Bundren states You need policy and a procedure manual, not just a policy, because you need to know what else is happening. Mrs. Bundren has stated that she has 10 years of HR experience and speaks from that experience. Mrs. Bundren states that she would be happy to help the board with the Personal Policy.

Sherry Ford, 3968 S NC 62, Mrs. Ford states that she was the one that brought up the Personal Policy in the beginning and asked for a copy, that she did receive and she states “I could not believe it’s a one-page policy that did not address anything to do with disciplinary actions, the responsibilities of employees or the function of employees and how they are behaving or performing, There was nothing in there about performance. It all fit the benefit of the employees, and I couldn’t believe that the Village would hang themselves out there like that.’

OLD BUSINESS

ORC Report: Given by Mr. Arnold Allred

Birch Pump Station: Everything is running, & there is a spare pump in the building as a backup.

Pond Pump Station: Currently, it has no power. This station doesn’t need power to run.

NC 62 Pump Station: Everything is running, & there is a spare pump in the building as a backup.

Distribution: TTHMS water samples all came back good. Chlorine will resume on April 13^th.

Public Recreation Update: Mrs. Folwell states that the Public Rec Committee has decided to step back from the Picnic Shelter for now and slow down the process. They would like to discuss the various ideas that have been brought to their attention.

Personnel Policy Update: Motion made by Alderman Cass to table this agenda item until the following month. Seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0.

Burn Policy Clarification: Mayor Tichy states that the Village has no rules or regulations regarding the burning of Yard Waste within the Village. The Village follows state rules and regulations, and it is illegal for you to burn Yard Waste because the Village offers this service.

Engineer Report:  Given by Mr. Trenton Novelli

Heritage Glen Phase 5C.2: Construction is ongoing. Utilities are still awaiting certification. Birch Street Pump Station: Improvements have been put out to bid. There will be a pre-bid date of April 1^st, 2026, and a bid opening of April 16^th, 2026. Still awaiting State approval for the force main. Mr. Novelli has been going back and forth with the state, trying to get the project approved. CITGO Plan Review: Awaiting final submission for review and approval. Parks and Rec: Awaiting potential funding opportunities for repair and additional sidewalk construction.

NEW BUSINESS

Adoption of a Capital Improvement Plan: Alderman Hunt makes a motion for the Adoption of a Capital Improvement Plan. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carried 5-0.

NCDOT Multimodal Grant: Mr. Novelli states that it is the pursuit of a design for a future sidewalk. The goal of this project would be to allow us to move forward with the design. Motion made by Alderman Andrews. Seconded by Alderman Cass. Motion Carries 5-0.

Resolution to Apply for Funding to Study and Complete Future Sewer Projects: Resolution of Sewer AIA project to further investigate the quality of our existing sewer lines. Alderman Crouse makes a motion to pursue. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution to Sell Utility Shed: Mrs. Folwell states that we need a resolution to place an advertisement to sell the Utility Shed. It would be considered surplus property. Sold as is. We would ask the buyer to provide proof of liability insurance before moving it off the property. It would be a sealed bid, and all bids will be opened at the Town Hall. Alderman Hunt makes a motion to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Alderman Cass. Motion carried 5-0.

New Plants for the Village of Alamance Sign:

Mrs. Folwell shows the Board of Aldermen the design and layout of the new landscaping. Alderman Andrews makes a motion to accept the plans as presented. Seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carried 5-0.

Acknowledging the Passing of Anthony Solazzo, Jr., Mayor Tichy states that Mr. Solazzo was the Village’s first water engineer and one of the people who helped build the water system. The board would like to express its condolences to this family.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Phil Cheap, 4312 S NC 62, states there may be some misconceptions about the sidewalk. After 32 years of adjusting and handling lawsuits across the state and eight years in law enforcement, he states there were zero cases of someone being hit on the sidewalk. Mr. Cheap feels the possibility of a coffee shop coming into the Village, and the Church wanting to put in a playground, we want to encourage people to walk. Mr. Cheap feels the board should reconsider if they can get a sidewalk in to go ahead and do it.

Mayor Tichy asks for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Crouse makes a motion. Seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Tichy_______________________________________________________

Hannah Quigley. Clerk_______________________________________________