China Grove looks to the future

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — There wasn't much talk of money during a Saturday retreat for the China Grove town board, but there was much discussion of the town's future.

The retreat, which was held at the China Grove Roller Mill, was about four hours long and dealt mostly with the town setting goals for the upcoming budget year and beyond.

Mayor Don Bringle, along with several other board members, discussed looking at things that maybe can't be done in the next year or two, but in the next five or seven years.

Some of the items that were brought up included — looking at street lighting, renovating police/fire stations, marketing the town at the same time making services easier for residents and establishing competitive salaries for certain departments.

One of the issues Mayor Bringle said he was made aware of was street lighting, specifically in the business areas.

"There are no street lights near Stag 'N Doe on U.S. 29. I would like to see us do one section a year," Bringle said.

He said he understands lights cost money, but perhaps they could space it out over a period of time.

"For an economic impact and for safety, it should be done," Bringle said.

Councilman Lee Withers said he'd actually like to see a corridor beautification committee.

Bringle said the town has an appearance committee Town Consultant Ron Niland, with Ron Niland Associates suggested creating a plan.

Bringle said they've done that. He encouraged the board to not continue to talk about it, but do it.

Police Chief Eddie Kluttz said his officers have driven through town and found 38 lights that were out, most of which were privately owned.

The focus then turned to the construction of the police/fire stations.

The town recently received a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for renovation and expansion plans for the police and fire station. While the construction is taking place, the police department will move into town hall, which leaves the administrative staff to find place.

Councilman Mike Upright said when people in the community ask him or other board members and town staff, they need to be able to give them answer about the project.

"We're getting ready to spend $1.8 million. It's money we are spending in a bad economy," he said.

Withers said just look at what's been spent in the past on the upkeep of the fire/police station.

"We've spent about $60,000 a year in upgrades," Withers said.

There are also federal and state regulations that must be met with the building.

Niland added that the bidding environment is cheaper than it has been in the past and the construction project will create local jobs.

One of the things that has been neglected is the town's Web site.

"We have a Web presence, but it's not user-friendly" said Town Manager Bill Pless.

He asked the board to look into making the Web site more up-to-date.

"It's also a marketing tool," Withers said.

"And it's expected," Pless said.

Chief Kluttz said his biggest need is for equipment includes camera and patrol gear, specifically a radio maintenance budget.

"We don't have a thing in place for radio maintenance," he said.

Kluttz asked why the previous budget had nearly double the money for a mobile computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. He told the board he could get the department by on $20,000 worth of equipment.

Bringle said that large amount was placed in the budget when the department was considering joining other municipalities in using what the Rowan County Sheriff's Office had.

"You don't need all the bells and whistles," Kluttz said.

He said what the department did need was air cards, which give the officers wireless access to reports.

One of the biggest changes he'd like to see in the police department is getting in place a competitive salary.

Kluttz said officers are not compensated as well as other county police departments. Often, officers don't stay in China Grove because they can go somewhere else and make more money.

Councilman Brandon Linn, who is also a Landis police officer, said Landis paid more.

"There's a real cost in not being competitive," Niland said.

Fire Chief Jeff Gledhill said his biggest needs are to replace outdated equipment, especially hoses.

Also, an electronic records keeping system. Firefighters are currently writing reports on paper.