THE FIVE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SECOND SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN

VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE

 

November 22, 2021 – 7:00 PM

 

Present: Mayor Tichy, Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe, Alderman Tichy, Alderman Crouse, Alderman Andrews, Alderman Baldwin, and Clerk York.

 

Absent:

 

Invocation and Call to Order given by Mr. Reich

 

A motion was made to approve the October 25, 2021 meeting minutes by Alderman Tichy, seconded by Alderman Baldwin. Motion carries 6-0

 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

 

 

Engineer Report

 

Mr. Reich stated the core samples taken for the Heritage Glen paving work show good depth. The milling should only be for an inch and a half, and the project could possibly come in slightly under budget. The expected date for starting the project is April 15^th.

The curb and gutter for phase 5C has been put in and is nearly complete. The final plat has been received which is being called phase 5C-1 because there will be a second development off Tradition Dr. which will be called phase 5C-2.

 

Mr. Reich stated that there would be more money available to the Village now that the government had passed a new budget. He stated that Mr. Allred had talked about relocating a portion of the Cardinal Ln. outfall. There’s a manhole that is very close to the creek and the outfall line needs to be straightened. There is a tree near the line that could potentially be a problem and may need to be removed but its on the easement and the property owner would need to be contacted first. Mr. Reich stated that he will take bids for this project if the council should decide to move forward on it.

 

 

 

ORC Report

 

Mr. Allred stated the collection system was running well. The distribution testing was good and the valves have been exercised.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

 

Clerk York stated that there is a new government program for assisting households who are behind on payments with water bills during covid. He has submitted some names for review to the program to see if they may qualify for assistance. The mayor has signed off on participating in the program and Clerk York stated that the board can vote their approval or disapproval for participating. A motion was made by Alderman Tichy to participate in the program, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 6-0

 

 

Zoning Ordinance Committee

 

Clerk York stated the committee was making progress and hopes to continue meetings in December.

 

 

Finance Report/Budget Amendment

 

Clerk York stated there is CD coming due on November 30^th and it will not be renewed. He will deposit it with Wells Fargo to offset fees. There is another $315,000 allotment to the village with the passing of the new state budget, for water and sewer projects. The money was awarded to two projects that were submitted, the Cardinal Lane project and water for Dogwood Lane.

Clerk York stated the other monies that have been allotted to the Village do not have to be designated until December 2024.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Alderman Tichy asked which lights duke power was replacing throughout Heritage Glen. Clerk York stated he would find out.

 

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Jeremy Vestal of 4533 Alamance Baptist loop rd. stated he would like an audio recording of the meeting. Mr. Vestal expressed his appreciation to Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe for her years of service. He stated that he thinks while it has been a few hard months he thinks the community has a goal of unity. He stated the election seemed to cause some division and he hoped things could be righted. He feels that only twenty-five percent of the Village is cared for, and he wants the whole Village to be treated fairly and respected. Mr. Vestal stated that if there was time to campaign there should have been time to call DOT regarding the condition of Highway 62. He stated Heritage Glen seems to be the only concern for paving. He stated that speed limit flashing signs should be purchased to help with the problems of speeding in the historic district and to make the Village safer.

 

Sherry Ford of 3968 South NC 62 spoke in favor of radar speed signs for the Village.  She asked Alderman Andrews why she didn’t second the motion Alderman Isley made in a previous meeting to get the flashing speed limit signs. Alderman Andrews stated she was not obligated to second a motion. No one else on the Board seconded the motion to purchase radar speed signs. Mrs. Ford asked Alderman Andrews if she had a better idea to help with the speeding in the historic district. Alderman Andrews stated she if she had a better idea, she would have stated so, at the time. Mrs. Ford asked if Alderman Andrews if she had thought about the matter further. Alderman Andrews responded that she did not wish to engage the matter further. Alderman Andrews suggested that she believed Mrs. Ford’s motivations were personal and related to the fact that Alderman Andrews did not support Mrs. Ford’s daughter Elizabeth in the most recent election. Mrs. Ford stated that she bought her first house in the Village in 1998. She has been dealing with issues of speeding since that time. Mayor Tichy said that he would need to end this line of public comment in the interest of time.

 

Alderman Dan Tichy suggested that everyone take a step back. He is all for problem solving.  He asked Mr. Vestal and Mrs. Ford what it was that they were asking for. Are there particular speed signs they would like to see installed?  He takes offense at the notion that the Board only favors Heritage Glen.  He pointed out several projects the Village had worked on throughout the years.  These included new sidewalks in the historic section of the Village, Siphon system, and paving Heritage Glen.  He said that Heritage Glen was paved based on engineering report that said that it needed to be done.  He does not show favoritism in his votes.  He is all in favor of fixing anything that needs fixing.  However, he said that the arguing needs to stop.  Everyone including himself, has spoken to NCDOT multiple times about the condition of the pavement on NC 62.  At this time, the condition of NC 62 is outside of the control of the Village.  He has always worked to better the Village.  He asked if a radar speed sign is what Mr. Vestal and Mrs. Ford are after.  Mr. Vestal said that he did not want an accident like one that had previously taken place in Bellmont, to occur in the Village. Alderman Tichy pointed out that there was a car that flipped over on Cornerstone Drive.  Accidents happen in Heritage Glen as well.  Alderman Tichy also pointed out that there has been two accidents at the old LA Motors location.

 

Alderman Crouse said that the accident in Bellmont occurred because a boy rode his skateboard in front of a vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle was determined to have been going 35 miles and hour.  The driver was not cited.  Alderman Tichy said that there are arguments in favor of and against the radar speed signs.  Some people may slow down and others might want to see how fast they can go.  Mr. Vestal said that he just wants to feel as if the Board of Alderman is working with him and the other citizens in the Village.

 

Mrs. Ford wanted to know if there were other suggestions for speeding along NC 62.  She believes that the speed signs should be reconsidered if there are no other suggestions. Mayor Tichy said that the Board felt that that a radar sign would not solve the problem of speeding in the Village.  Mayor Tichy said that he supported getting a radar sign, but the Board made their decision, which he respects.  Mrs. Ford reiterated that she wanted other suggestions.  She has been asking for help since 1998.  Alderman Dan Tichy pointed out that there are people who don’t care about getting a ticket.  They drive fast even when the Village has had Sheriff’s and Highway Patrol Vehicles present.  He understands that Mrs. Ford is frustrated.  There is a blind curb near where he lives on Liberty Dr. People drive fast around that curb.  He is not sure what the solution is.  Mrs. Ford said that Green Level has a Sheriff’s Deputy. Alderman Tichy asked how much it cost them.  Mrs. Ford said that they received a grant that covered at least part of the cost for three years.  Alderman Tichy said that he does not have a good answer at the moment.  He said that he will fight for everyone in the Village every time he makes a decision.  Decisions should benefit everyone in the jurisdiction.  Mrs. Ford said that he appreciated that.  She would like to hear discussion in the future about hiring a part time police officer.  Alderman Tichy said that incremental increases in taxes can add up over time.  This happened to his father back on Long Island. He does not want that to happen here.

 

Alderman Isley commented on street paving.  He said that the Board started in the main Village first, before paving in Heritage Glen.  Mayor Tichy said that they recently did some cleanup work around the Alamance Baptist Church Road where Mr. Vestal lives.  Alderman Isley said that the biggest problem we have at the moment is speeding.  We don’t have crime like they do in other areas.  This is a good safe community to live in.  Mayor Pro-Tem Sharpe said that one of the reasons the Village is has money is due to the fact that she took very little salary when she served as Clerk.  She gave so much of her time because she loves the Village.  Mr. Vestal said that he knows that and he appreciates her.

 

 

Motion to adjourn by Alderman Crouse, seconded by Alderman Baldwin. Motion carries 6-0

                                                                      Don Tichy, Mayor

 

 

___________________________________Ben York, Village Clerk