An Autryville resident is concerned about recent trespassing issues she says have “scared her to death,” and she brought those concerns to the town board earlier this week.
Mildred Hatcher, who lives within the town limits, came forward during public comment at the Autryville Board of Commissioners June 30 meeting, detailing multiple accounts of trespassing incidents she said had occurred.
“My concern,” said Hatcher, “is I’ve been having visitors — night visitors and also afternoon visitors — uninvited, coming into my yard.”
Hatcher told board members how the most recent incident occurred at night, and how she felt “scared to death.” By the time Sampson Sheriff’s officers showed up, Hatcher said, the intruder had disappeared.
“That’s just one incident,” she attested.
Hatcher told how she found a man’s bicycle on her property, and after realizing the bicycle did not belong to anyone she knew, she went to remove it.
It was then, she said, that a masked man came out of the woods behind the her home, claiming the bicycle was his.
Hatcher said this happened during the daytime and emphasized that it was hot outside that day.
“If I hadn’t been so scared that he was going to do something…who’s going to wear a mask on that hot of a day?”
Hatcher asked the Board of Commissioners for aid.
Spell told the resident there were several different options.
Commissioner Tommy Honeycutt spoke up, acknowledging that he lives close to Hatcher. “I’m gonna give you my number,” Honeycutt said, and he did. “If you ever have a problem…you call me; my phone’s beside me 24/7. I’ll be in your yard in two minutes.
“I’ll do that for you,” Honeycutt reassured, noting that he would personally “help personally push Sheriff Jimmy Thornton to accept an invitation to let a satellite (car or officer) be sitting right here,” in the town of Autryville.
“We’re not strong enough to have a police department here, but we’re strong enough for our voices to be heard,” Honeycutt stated.
Hatcher thanked the board for listening.
Town speeders
Commissioner Debra Baxley later brought up the issue of reckless drivers speeding through town.
“I think,” Baxley said, “when they turn that corner, they see how fast they can come through town, not understanding that there are children and elderly people.”
Spell pointed out that the road in question is a state road, and changing the speed limit would not be possible
Honeycutt suggested requesting rolling strips or possibly discussing a four-way stop sign with DOT.
“Let’s see what the four-way stop does,” Spell decided.
Budget adopted
Autryville residents will not see a rise in their taxes this year, nor any increase in what they pay for services. That was the word from town board members by virute of a unanimous vote to adopt the 2026-27 budget.
The vote came following a rescheduled public hearing where no one stood up to speak.
Mayor Grayson Spell opened the public hearing for questions and concerns, but none were brought forward. Spell pointed out that the budget saw no rise in tax rates, and Autryville Town Clerk Lisa Jones also clarified that there were no changes in fees.
Water rates inside town and outside of town per 1,000 gallons will remain at $7.25 and $9.06, respectively.
Cut-off fees for water due to nonpayment remain $10, reconnection fees are $25, and after-hours reconnection fees are $75. Residential garbage rates inside town are $10; outside town, $22. Commercial garbage rates in town are $25 and $30 outside.
Honeycutt moved to adopt the budget, and the motion carried.