By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
LANDIS — The town has maintained the Lake Wright Dam for a number of years, but to keep it in compliance with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources, it may have to look for outside help.
Public Works Director Steve Rowland presented a proposal to the town board at Monday night’s meeting.
The board tabled any decisions until Rowland submits and receives formal bids.
Inquiries were made with Arden-based Marks Enterprises of N.C. to see what services it could provide to maintain the dam, monitor any cracks and establish a wave erosion protection system.
The dam is inspected once a year and Rowland said his department typically does repairs, but it’s getting “increasingly harder to pass inspection.”
Marks Enterprise quoted $19,000 to provide a dam development and maintenance program.
Since its just one estimate from one company the board instructed Rowland to present the project to receive official bids.
Alderman Craig Sloop said North Carolina Local Government Commission requires a formal bid for any project more than $1,000.
The board also:
• Heard from resident Ron Daniels about parking in the 100 block of North Zion Street across from Porky’s II.
Daniels said restaurant patrons and some employees park along the street making it difficult for residents, including him, to back out of their driveways.
The restaurant sits on the corner of West Ryder Avenue and North Zion Street.
His concern is if a resident had an emergency, the cars that park on both sides of the street would prevent an emergency vehicle from getting through.
Daniels brought the board photos he’d taken showing cars on both sides of Zion Street and in a nearby parking lot owned by Parkdale Mills.
Chief Bob Wood said there is no law that prevents people from parking on the street.
Mayor James Furr asked Town Manager Reed Linn, Chief Wood and the property owner, Rick Register, who was not at the meeting, to discuss a compromise.
• Heard from Dink Safriet regarding paving of the 300 block of West Round Street.
Safriet said years ago his street was paved except a little spot in front of his house that was left unpaved.
The dirt patch affects Safriet and two other residents who must drive over it.
Furr told Safriet the town commissioned a study be conducted that would look at road conditions throughout town to determine which ones are in dire need of repaving.
• Approved a request from Landis Baptist Church to close the 100 block of North Kimmons Street from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. for vacation bible school this week.
The church makes this request each year for the safety of the children attending.
Mayor James Furr asked Town Manager Reed Linn to let the church know in the future they need to ask sooner than the week the church actually needs the street closed.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.