HARRELLS — After what seemed like years, the town has finally completed the transition to own the old EMS building. The Board of Aldermen also discussed and approved the 2012-13 budget and handled several other matters of business in their late June meeting.
Town clerk Cindy Ezzell reported that everything had been done regarding the building, and the deed was signed and ready to be picked up.
“Everything has been finalized,” she stressed. “The check in the amount of $24,826.70 has been received and deposited in the bank under a special account just for the Harrells EMS Building. There were no stipulations on the transfer of the deed from the former owners, Harrells Community Service, except for a verbal agreement to maintain housing for the county EMS squad,” added the clerk.
Mayor Jimmy Moore explained that due to budget constraints, the needed improvements for the building would have to be put on hold until a time when funds could be budgeted to make the changes needed to make the facility more efficient and viable for use by the town and its citizens.
The clerk also shared with the board that Max Prestage’s Eagle Scout project was moving along very well. “The fundraising event held by Max was very successful and the Prestages were very pleased with the support they received. The foundation has already been poured and the project’s proposed completion date is Aug. 20,” stated Ezzell.
The aldermen moved to new business and after the lengthy public hearing on the budget approved the 2012-13 budget with an increase in the tax rate of $0.06 per $100 valuation and also voted to increase the trash fee from $96 to $111 to cover the total expense incurred by the town. (See the Thursday, June 28 edition of The Sampson Independent for full story on the budget).
As a result of Telamon Corporation taking control of Head Start, the clerk presented the aldermen with a proposed contract from Telamon for continued use of town property to locate the Harrells Head Start. Ezzell reported that Telamon wanted a 10-year contract, five more years than the contract the town had with the county.
The board questioned whether the county had been charged for use of the land? The clerk reported that there had been no charge to the county for the use of the property. The aldermen then questioned if it would be possible to charge a fee for the land use and the clerk stated that the proposed contract stated that no charges would be made. Upon recommendation of the board, the clerk was directed to send a copy of the contract to the town’s attorney for his review before a decision on entering the contract would be made. The matter would be placed on the agenda for the July 10 meeting.
Ezzell also shared with the aldermen that a request had come from a town resident for state Sen. Brent Jackson to begin the process needed to allow Harrells to hold a referendum on beer sales. The board requested the clerk contact the citizen and request that he either appear before the aldermen or send a written request for the board to consider the matter before any action would be taken.
The board approved a continuation of the contract with Scott Bridgers to serve as auditor of accounts for the town.
The clerk stressed that OCS, the trash collection agency for the town, had informed her that trash collection for the week of July 4 would be on Saturday, July 7 instead of Friday, July 6. Ezzell also reported that a represent for the North Carolina Department of Transportation would be present at the July 10 meeting to discuss the county transportation plan.
The aldermen concluded their meeting thanking Doris Tart for her assistance in helping to beautiful town hall by helping with the planting of the colorful flowers at the entrance.
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