East Spencer retreat set for today
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 10, 2015
EAST SPENCER — Water and sewer strategies top of the list of issues for the East Spencer town retreat scheduled to take place today at the Gateway Building in Salisbury.
The Board of Aldermen and town staff will meet beginning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss a range of topics with various guests until about 3:30 p.m. The meeting will take place on the second floor inside the RowanWorks board room.
The board plans to hear from Marty Wilson and Fred Summers of the N.C. Rural Water Association.
The town has been working for two years with Rural Water Association staff to prepare for a water rehabilitation project to replace failing water lines and valves in East Spencer. The town was recently awarded a $2.4 million state grant for the project.
Other discussion will include objectives and priorities for each department — police, fire, planning, administrative and capital policy initiatives.
As they’ve done in past retreats, the board will identify goals and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. In previous retreats, the board has made Royal Giants Park a priority and has recently expressed continued interest in reviving the park.
In the past year, the town has taken small steps to revitalize the park, including building more picnic shelters and tables. The town has a master plan for park upgrades that include a splash pad, walking trail and cornhole courts. The town is currently in the first phase of a five-phase, estimated $4.5-million plan. The first phase is slated to be completed next year.
Dr. Jimmy Jenkins, president of Livingstone College, and Rick Parker, executive director of Novant Health Foundation Rowan Medical Center, will speak about joint initiatives and opportunities with the town.
Darren Rhodes, with the N.C. Department of Commerce, is expected to act as facilitator for the retreat.
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.
