By Amanda Raymond
amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SPENCER — The North Carolina Board of Transportation has approved statewide contingency funding in the amount of $390,000 for Spencer’s storm water and street paving improvements to Fourth Street.

The Spencer Board of Aldermen will meet at 600 S. Salisbury Ave. at 7 p.m. Tuesday and will talk about the funding the town has recently received.

Town Manager Reid Walters and Public Works Director Joel Taylor have developed a phased project for Fourth Street’s infrastructure issues. Because of the state funding, a good portion of the project will be able to occur next year.

According to a press release, storm water and street paving improvements on Fourth Street have been at the top of Spencer’s to-do list for years, but the scope and cost of the improvements prevented past boards from moving the project forward.

The funding will help the city move towards its long-term goal of establishing a “solid, organized, manageable infrastructure for the next generation of Spencer residents,” according to the press release.

The revenue came directly from the North Carolina General Assembly. The press release said State Rep. Harry Warren and Sen. Andrew Brock were key players in helping Spencer receive the funding.

In other business, the board will:

• Conduct a public hearing for the rezoning of a property on the 300 block of Hunter Street from an industrial zoning to a highway business zoning.

• Hear departmental, town manager, mayoral and delegate reports.

• Hear public comment.

• Consider approving four text amendments and the addition of one amendment for civil citations, which include increases in the amounts of penalties and fines.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.