By Shavonne Potts
Salisbury Post
LANDIS ó The Board of Aldermen approved a resolution Monday for water and sewer bonds.
The resolution includes a debt collection policy; stipulates that an applicant contribution of $300 will be placed in a separate construction account; says the town will submit to regular audits and adopt a water rate schedule; and requires that the project described in the final plans conform to the initial plans.
The project engineer would create a supplement for any changes to the plans.
The $2.8 million loan for water will be administered on behalf of the Rural Utilities Service by the state and area staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development division.
In addition to the $1 million Rural Utilities Service Direct Grant, the project will receive a $200,000 State and Tribal Assistance Grant and $300 from the town or applicant.
For the sewer portion, the Rural Utilities Service will pitch in $917,000, along with a Rural Utilities Service Direct Grant of $557,000. The project will also get $227,000 from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund Grant and a $400 contribution from the town.
Many of the various issues brought up at Monday’s board meeting were postponed until aldermen meet during their annual retreat.
The board also:
– Tabled whether to undertake an employee wellness program. The board heard from Gary Rector of the North Carolina League of Municipalities regarding the program.
The program would cost $500 per person, but Risk Management Services, which administers the program, would pay $350 of that cost.
The program is designed to evaluate an employee’s present health status and develop a plan to improve health and fitness.
Rector said a minimum of half the 40-plus full-time staff members would have to enroll for the town to utilize the program.
The board made no decisions, except to spend more time on the matter at the retreat.
– Made no decision about online bill paying and budget billing programs for utility customers.
Deputy Administrator Debbie Goodman explained that utility customers have inquired about such a program.
She contacted one company that charges a one-time set-up fee, an annual cost of $3,600, and charges to upgrade the town’s computer software and install a network to block unauthorized users.
The board requested more time to look at this company and other options at its retreat.
– Accepted a reimbursement of $36,500 from the N.C. Department of Transportation for road work done at South Main and West Rice streets. The money was taken from the town’s Powell Bill funds.
– Agreed to let the Planning Board participate in a technical assistance program for a downtown revitalization study through the Urban Land Institute. The board would pay $5,000 for access to architects, land developers, attorneys and other professionals to see what the town could do to improve the downtown area.
The board tentatively agreed to the application process, but wanted to further discuss the matter at the retreat.
– Alderman Tony Hilton expressed his aversion to a South Carolina woman’s plans to create a home for abused exotic animals that would be housed at the former Metrolina Wildlife Park in Rockwell.
The private zoo, which was owned by Steve Macaluso and used to be called the Charlotte Metro Zoo, has had its share of legal problems, including improperly possessing animals considered protected.
“These are dangerous animals,” Hilton said. “This is something that concerns me.”
He added that Landis should look into some type of ordinance prohibiting exotic animals, if the town doesn’t already have one. The board made no decisions.
Hilton also wanted the town to look at the the rising gas prices and cut back on excessive driving.
He said police, fire and public works vehicles should not be driven home by personnel who live within a certain radius.
Alderman Dean Beck, who is also a town police officer, disagreed, citing homeland security as one reason officers need to take vehicles home.
Beck also said the department is short-staffed and officers are essentially on call at odd hours. The board made no decision.
Fire Chief Reed Linn, also town administrator, asked for permission to wash at least one truck a month, which was approved.
The town, like many others, is under water restrictions.
Linn said the equipment is expensive and in recent weeks the department has responded to incidents that left the trucks very muddy.
The board will have its annual retreat at 9 a.m. on March 8. Members have not yet determined a location.
Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost.com.