The regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners was held on November 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at Town Hall 107 Main Street, Stovall, North Carolina.
Mayor Williford was present and presiding.
Board Members Present
Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Sneed, Commissioner Stovall, and Commissioner Lunsford
Administrator Present
Janet C. 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 stated to the board that the September meeting was canceled due to employee illness. Mayor Williford mentioned to Commissioner Stovall that he appreciates him for filling in for his absence when he was out of town. Mayor Williford mentioned to the board that the Senior Center is coming up soon, the construction bid should be out after the first of the year, and the construction starts sometime in the spring. Mayor Williford was asked by the Granville County Veterans Affairs Commission to put a green light bulb on to honor our Veterans for a week. The County announced mini recreation grants for up to $20,000.00 and if any Town is interested the application starts from December 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.
Police Report
Chief Williams gave an activity report for the Police Department for the month of October 08, 2024, to November 12, 2024. The activity was as follows:
• 302 Miles of Patrol
• 4 Reports
• 3 Citations
• 3 Warnings
• 0 Arrest
Chief Williams stated to the board that the new police car is up, and running now, and the Crown Victorian’s old equipment is completely stripped and ready to go whatever the town wants to do with it. Chief Williams mentioned to the board that Officer Watson took time off due to the Marshall task force, Sergeant Workman is absent due to water damage to his home and there are no complaints about the town, speeding, or any issues.
Water Report
Commissioner Lunsford gave the water report and stated that Oxford billed the town for 844,000 gallons and Stovall billed the customers for 552,668 gallons. The loss of 291,332 gallons comes out to a 35 percent loss of water because the town couldn’t find to cut off the line that is connected to the hydrant.
Approval Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Roberts and seconded by Commissioner Lunsford to approve the October 08, 2024 minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
Old Business
House Numbers in Stovall
Commissioner Lunsford mentioned to the board that the addressing department for Granville County offered to send out the letter to the citizens of Stovall at no cost to the Town and set up the deadline for December 31, 2024. Mayor Williford mentioned to the board he thought that the Board discussed we cannot set up the deadline or any type of penalty unless we have some type of ordinance stating such. Commissioner Stovall stated that it could be handled more easily by the board approving an ordinance instead of taking it through the planning board to avoid amending the zoning ordinance.
New Business
Sales of the Police Car
Mayor Williford stated to the board that Chief Williams got the police car equipment removed and stripped the decal off the Crown Victorian the cost of it is $350.00. Mayor Williford asked the board if they wanted to dispose of it or sell the car. Commissioner Lunsford mentioned that we can sell the car and a motion was made to sell the car via sealed bids which is consistent with how these matters have been handled in the past. A motion was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Roberts to approve the sale of the Crown Victoria police car to a sealed bid process. The motion carried unanimously.
Recreation
Commissioner Sneed mentioned to the board that the park will be closed from December 19, 2024, to December 27, 2024, for Christmas at the Park on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the park will reopen to the public on December 28, 2024.
Debit/Credit Card Machine
Commissioner Stovall stated to the board that the customers prefer to have a card machine at the town hall and it is time for us to have a debit/credit machine. Commissioner Stovall mentioned the quote from Merchant One there is no setup fee, no compliance, 24/7 customer support, and the card machine is free, Commissioner Stovall also mentioned that he will have 3 quotes ready by the December 2024 meeting.
Engagement Letter with W.L Stark & Company
Administrator Parrott reviewed the engagement letter from W. L. Stark and Company with the board.
There is an increase in services due to the water/sewer grants. New charges are:
Interim bookkeeping and financial statement services: $1,000 each month
Year-end bookkeeping and financial preparation service $7,975
Grant Project bookkeeping and financial statement services $2,500
A motion was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Lunsford to approve the engagement letter from W. L. Stark and Company as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Internal Control Policy
The board was presented with an updated Internal Control Policy for the Town.
A motion was made by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Sneed to approve the Internal Control Policy. The motion carried unanimously.
Certification of Water Lines
Administrator Parrott noted that for the past three months, the town has been gathering information on the pipes and hardware on the water system required by the States and EPA. All pipe materials must be identified in the water system and all pipe materials connected to the system. Each household and or meter on empty lots has to be identified as to what kind of pipe is connected to the meter to the house and/or business. Letters have gone out again to those not responding or unknowns. It will take several more months to hopefully get the information needed. The State and EPA are asking if the pipes are lead, galvanized, plastic, or copper. Different notices are being sent according to what the homeowners check on the letters. There will also be additional testing costs and extra cost of postage if homeowners do not respond to the certification. The Town will continue to add data as it comes in. The Board was reminded that if anyone contacts you concerning these letters or notices, please have them contact town hall and explain to them that is a mandatory step with the state and federal government to ensure safe water for the safety of the citizens of Stovall. Thank each of you for being patient with us at Town Hall as it has taken up a lot of our time and will be a lengthy process at times in the future. Administrator Parrott noted that this is a requirement for all Public Water Systems in North Carolina.
Public Comment
Mayor Williford stated no one had signed up for public comment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Stovall and seconded by Commissioner Lunsford. Motion carried unanimously.
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