The five hundred and seventy-second session of the board of Alderman Village of Alamance

May 19th, 2025

7:00 p.m.

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

Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Isley, Alderman Cheap

Invocation and call to order given by Mark Reich

Approval of Agenda, Alderman Hunt motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 4-0

Approval of April 28^th, Regular Meeting Minutes, Alderman Crouse motioned to approve April 28^th Minutes, seconded by Alderman Hunt. The motion carries 4-0.

Public Hearing- Presentation of proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget

Motion made by Alderman Crouse to move into a Public Hearing for Presentation of proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget. Seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion Carries 4-0.

Ms. Folwell states that the Budget overall increased by $922 in the General Fund, noting that this is primarily due to utility costs. In the Enterprise Fund, the budget increased by $1070.00. Not many numbers were changed from the 2024-2025 FY Budget. Plaid Day has been reduced from $15,000 to $10,000. Retirement rates have increased by 14.67% due to ELGERS. We no longer have the 401(b) that we were paying into. Utilities have increased. Salaries stayed the same. The $34,000 that was included in last year’s Sanitation budget for the trash can purchase has been removed. The Enterprise Fund has a revenue balance of $558,974.00. The General Fund has a revenue balance of $900,155.00. The water rates have increased by 3% due to the City of Burlington’s 5% rate increase.

June 19^th is the next Plaid Day Meeting. A discussion regarding National Night Out was held, informing the Public that we will be doing it again this year.

Mayor Tichy requests a motion to approve the 2025-2026 FY budget at the June Meeting. Motion made by Alderman Hunt. Seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 4-0.

Motion made by Alderman Tichy to move back into the Regular session. Seconded by Alderman Andrews.

Public Comment:

Debra Mata, 3669 S NC 62, stated that she called the DOT regarding a roundabout to slow traffic down as it comes through the Village. She is also reaching out to the Burlington Postmaster to request a mail carrier to deliver mail to the 15 residents instead of them having to pay $200 a year for a post office box.

OTHER BUSINESS

Engineer Report:

Cardinal Lane Drainage Issue: Mr. Reich states that they are waiting to complete the Cardinal Lane project, as they have met with the contractor, and all parties have been involved. Discussions have been held, but no decisions have been finalized yet. AWCK is still working with all parties to resolve the easement issue. They were finally about to get up with Kristin regarding Heritage Glen Phase 5C.2. The Contractor has installed water, sewer, and storm drainage systems. Testing for sewer has been completed, and testing for water is ongoing. Work is scheduled to start back after Memorial Day. Mr. Reich has spoken with Mike Davis regarding the Utility Building; he plans to have all structural plans submitted after Memorial Day. SL 2023-134, DWI requested some additional information, which, to the best of Mr. Reich’s knowledge, does not exist. He is unsure if the Village will be reimbursed the $9,352 initially requested. In the research files, Mrs. Folwell found additional documentation where Mr. Farmerie requested reimbursement for $73,633; however, when he submitted the documents, he listed himself as the DWI contact, and thus the form was most likely never received, since Mr. Farmerie doesn’t work for DWI, we submitted documentation to DWI on May 8^th but have not received a response.  In addition, we inquired about using that money to upgrade the Birch Pump Station- we have not received a response. For the 2175 Tradition Drive, Mr. Novelle went out after a recent rainfall event to evaluate the impact on the property. The homeowner has not maintained the flared end sections since the on-site meeting. Growth has become apparent and is hindering the flow. Flow was hindered before the sedimentation buildup, and flooding is evident in the low areas of the property. County Line Wastewater Services provided two quotes: The first quote is for $5,400, which includes removing the rip-rap, removing the built-up sediment, and restoring the rip-rap.  The second quote is for $7,500: to add geotextile fabric below the rip-rap and to install additional rip-rap as needed. The cost has been determined by the need to access the existing easement and restore the yard that the property owner maintains. The board discussed speaking with the homeowner, agreeing to proceed with option 1, which costs $5,400, and drafting a contract stating that he is responsible for keeping the grass sprayed and maintained. The sidewalk/driveway improvements: The existing sidewalk from K&J Grill to the southernmost driveway at Mayas Auto Shop is not ADA compliant due to the power pole in the sidewalk at 4122 S NC 62. There is transition slopes at the driveways located at 4112, 4116, 4122, and 4130 S NC 62. There is a trip hazard with the curb at the NE corner of Cardinal Lane and NC 62 (recently installed by NCDOT). Most of the sidewalks are currently 4ft, where NCDOT will allow the Village to repair the existing sidewalks, provided the width is maintained. If five-foot-wide sidewalks are desired, then an encroachment agreement with NCDOT will be required. Mr. Reich provides our estimated cost of repairing without the NCDOT encroachment, as well as the cost of repairing certain areas of the sidewalk to make it ADA compliant, at $40,000. This would ultimately become a July or later project, as it will be allocated from the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. The board agrees to move forward with at least three bids.

ORC Report:

Mr. Allred gives the ORC Report for the Village of Alamance. At the Birch pump station, everything is in order. The alarm dialer at the pond stations had an O8 error. That was taken out and will be sent out the following day. The NC 62 pump station is functioning correctly. Mr. Allred states that they will be doing Flushing starting Tuesday morning, May 27th, and continuing through Thursday, May 29th, a 3-day flushing. Burlington will be made aware of the flushing. TTHMs were done last week, and he is waiting for the results.

Slave Cemetery:

We have confirmed that the Heritage Glen HOA owns the Slave Cemetery. Alderman Tichy explained that one of the Boy Scout residents, working to earn his Eagle Scout award, collaborated with the museum to line it with rock, which would be a traditional method for identifying a cemetery. He cleared out the shrubs that the museum had said should be removed without disturbing the grave ivy. He removed certain weeds, tree weeds, and he was able to earn his Eagle Scout. This was all done to turn the cemetery over to the museum. After Covid, the museum stated that, due to financial reasons, they could not take over the cemetery. Alderman Tichy has been getting things done around to keep it maintained, but in his opinion, it is a cemetery. You are walking on graves. It’s always been wooded in the grave area. He has contacted his landscaping company and asked them to remove certain items. Mayor Tichy had requested that we determine if it was possible to obtain an official historical marker for the cemetery. Alderman Tichy stated that the county was not interested in taking it over to maintain it, but would follow up with them again. Misty mentions that Rusty is willing to maintain the cemetery if Alderman Tichy is willing to walk with him and show him what to keep and what not to maintain. Currently, everything up to the rocks is already mowed by Mr. Rusty. We will find out from Mr. Rusty what the cost will be.

New Business

Sewer Credits for Water Leaks:

Mayor Tichy states that Burlington no longer offers sewer or pool fills credit. The board discusses adjusting the water and sewer charge for leaks to the tier two or the tier they are usually in, rather than being charged the high gallon rate. This is only for water leaks; it does not include pool fills, as that is considered a luxury.

Support Opposing House Bill 765:

Mayor Tichy discusses the League of Municipalities and their efforts to find a resolution opposing House Bill 765. Mrs. Folwell mentions that this bill is attempting to strip municipalities of their rights in Zoning decisions. This is not just for the ETJ. It will impose time limits on how long you can review plans that are presented. It will allow anyone to sue you individually as board members if they don’t like the decision that is made. If everyone is on board, they will sign it and ensure it is sent to our representatives. Alderman Tichy makes a motion to support the resolution opposing House Bill 765. Seconded Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 4-0.

Audit Contract:

Mrs. Folwell reviews the Audit contract for $16,250, which is less expensive than Becky’s firm. Alderman Tichy makes a motion to approve the contract with Stout, Stewart, McGown, and King. Seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carried 4-0.

Public Comment:

Ken Cass, 3127 Midland Court. He is requesting clarification on sidewalk repairs and maintenance. Regarding the Slave Cemetery, Mr. Cass is inquiring about the possibility of installing a no-dumping sign. He said he has seen people dumping in that area. He asks where the Historical marker would be, and that’s ultimately the state’s decision.

Debra Matta asks if there is an ordinance about parking in the front yard. We will look into this.

Other Business:

Alderman Crouse makes a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 4-0.

Mayor Tichy____________________________________

Hannah Quigley, Clerk_______________________________