July 2025 Minutes

The regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners was held on July 08, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., at the Town Hall, 107 Main Street, Stovall, North Carolina.

Mayor Michael S. Williford present and presiding.

Board Members Present

Commissioner Sneed, Commissioner Stovall, and Commissioner Lunsford

Absent

Commissioner Roberts

Administrator Present

Janet Parrott

Police Chief Present

Craig Williams

Clerk Present

Ummala Rowley

Mayor Williford called the meeting to order and began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation

Commissioner Sneed spoke an opening prayer.

Mayor’s Update

Mayor Williford informed the board that he and Chief Williams hosted an Employee Appreciation Lunch on July 3^rd, and he stated it went well, and everyone enjoyed themselves. He also mentioned that the Oxford Board did not vote to raise their water rates, so there will be no rate increase passed on to Stovall this year. Additionally, Mayor Williford informed the board that the COG banquet is scheduled for September 25, 2025, in Louisburg, NC, and will be held at the Miles Magnolia Event Center once the cost details are finalized, and he will provide updated information.

Police Report

Chief Williams gave an activity report for the Stovall Police Department for the month from June 10, 2025, to July 08, 2025.

Activity was as follows:

·         312 Miles of patrol

·         5 Citations

·         3 Reports

·         0 Arrest

·         6 Warnings

Water Report

Commissioner Lunsford presented the water report and stated that Oxford bills the town for 1,157,000 gallons, and Stovall bills customers for 591,330 gallons.  The difference of 565,670 gallons, which comes out to 48.9 percent loss.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Lunsford to approve the June 2025 minutes.  Motion carried unanimously.

Old Business

Four-Way Stop Sign

Mayor Williford mentioned to the board that he is trying to get the Four-way stop sign section of US Hwy 15 and Main Street to slow the traffic down on US Hwy 15.  He has been working with Ty Cheek, who is the Regional Transportation Planner at the Kerr RPO. Granville County is divided into two areas: north of the Tar River, which falls under the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments and Kerr RPO controls, and South of the Tar River, which is under the control of the NC DOT, based in Durham.  Mayor Williford informed the board that we passed it along to the DOT District Engineers this past week, and they will conduct a collision and traffic evaluation history. 

Civic Committee Update

Commissioner Stovall informed the board that they have been meeting biweekly since February 2025, working diligently on the Civic Committee, and everything has gone well. Commissioner Stovall is impressed with how effectively everyone is collaborating. They have contacted Mark Pace, a local historian, who will be portraying John Penn at the Stovall Harvest Festival, a John Penn Celebration. Commissioner Stovall also mentioned that the Stovall Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and he would like to close Main Street from Oxford Street to US Hwy 15, as well as South Railroad Street from Main Street to Lewis Street, on that date from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Resolution Establishing Stovall Harvest Festival

A motion was made by Commissioner Lunsford and seconded by Commissioner Stovall to approve the Resolution for Establishing Stovall Harvest Festival.  Motion carried unanimously.

House Numbers

Commissioner Lunsford informed the board that we have sent three or four letters regarding the installation of house numbers on each house within the town limits. He mentioned the upcoming project of installing new lines and the possibility of adding house numbers to each property, allowing residents to post their addresses for all emergency or other purposes. Commissioner Lunsford mentioned several times during the meeting that the letter had been brought up, and he had it reviewed by Sandy Woody.  She has drafted a letter outlining what to include and what she wants to exclude.

A motion by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Lunsford to approve Sandy Woody sending this corrected letter on our behalf.  Motion carried unanimously.

New Business

Audit

Administrator Parrott informed the board that May & Place CPA’s had completed the 2023-2024 Annual Audit Report, and the town needs to approve the amended contract.

A motion was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Lunsford to approving the amended contract between the Town of Stovall and May & Place CPA.  Motion carried unanimously.

Office Equipment

Administrator Parrott informed the board that we require replacement of certain equipment, including printers, computers, and desks.  It shouldn’t cost more than $500.00.

Public Comment

Mayor Williford recognized Mrs. Sandra Falls, who introduced herself and informed the board that she will be having the meeting at the Stovall Library on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to help to spread the words about the election, trying to get organized for the new year and make ourselves known to the public.

Executive Session

Mayor Williford requested a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues.

A motion to go into Executive Session was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Lunsford.  Motion carried unanimously.

 A motion to come out of Executive Session was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Sneed.  Motion approved unanimously.

During the Executive Session, the Board discussed personnel issues.

A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Sneed. Motion approved.  Motion carried unanimously.

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Michael S. Williford, Mayor                            Date

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Ummala Rowley, Town Clerk                           Date