January 14, 2003

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on January 14, 2003, with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, William E. James, John J. Miller, Jr., Michael F. Moorman and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Chief of Police, Douglas R. Pond; Office Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

 

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with prayer.

 

Roll was called.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Hardy to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, suspend the reading and file.  This carried by all ayes.

 

No citizens asked to be heard by Council.

 

                                                HIGH SPEED RAIL RESOLUTION

Mayor Clarke stated that a letter had been received from the IDA asking for a resolution in support of the proposed Southeast High Speed Rail and for the location in the Town of Alberta of a train station.  A question was asked concerning if freight service would be available.  Mr. Dean was asked to check into this matter.  A copy of a resolution was presented.  A motion was made by Mr. Moorman to adopt the resolution with the omission of the statement concerning freight service capabilities, if freight service is not available.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Brockwell.  Mr. James questioned the need for the location of a train station in Alberta.  After a discussion, Mr. Moorman amended his motion to leave out the support of a train station in Alberta.  Mr. Miller and Mr. Brockwell stated that they were not in favor of taking out the support for a location in Alberta.  Mr. Brockwell stated that he would not amend his second of the original motion.  The motion to adopt the resolution with the omission of the statement concerning freight service carried by a vote of 5 ayes and 2 nays.

 

Mr. Dean gave out copies of a gauge showing how much water is wasted with different size leaks.  The water/wastewater committee is checking in to the purchase of the gauge for customers.

 

                                                GATEWAY SIGNS

Mr. Dean presented two drawings of a possible gateway sign to be placed at the entrance to Lawrenceville at the new St. Paul’s student center. The drawings were done free of charge.  Mr. Dean was asked to check into the cost to construct the sign.  Once the cost is determined, consideration can be given to construction of the sign at the new student center as well as the possibility of replacing the two existing signs north and south of Lawrenceville.

 

                                    FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST

Mr. James reported that the fire and finance committees had met before Council with Frankie Clary and Julian Moore of the fire department.  They asked if the town would pay the cost of having the ladder truck repaired in order to have it certified.  After a discussion, Mr. James stated that it would be necessary to amend the budget for the fire department in order to pay for the repairs.  A motion was made by Mr. James to amend the budget line item for gas, oil and truck repairs for fire department from $5,000 to $17,000.  This was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried by all ayes.

 

                                                LETTER OF RESIGNATION

Mr. Hardy reported that a letter of resignation had been received from Sgt. Gibson effective January 31, 2003.  He has taken a position with the Brunswick Sheriff’s Department as their representative on the Meherrin Drug Task Force Unit.  A motion was made by Mr. Hardy to accept the resignation with regret and wished him God’s speed.  This was seconded by Mr. Moorman and carried by all ayes.

 

                                                COURTHOUSE PROJECT

Mr. Dean reported that the streetlights have arrived and Courthouse Project construction is scheduled to start on February 15 and last for 150 days. All employees in the courthouse and offices will be notified. 

 

                                                MONTHLY WATER CUSTOMERS

Currently the major water/wastewater users who are billed monthly are not charged a penalty if late.  Mayor Clarke asked the water/wastewater committee to meet and look at changing this so that they will be charged a late penalty, as the rest of the customers are who are charged bimonthly.

 

                                                            CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS

Mrs. Talbert reported that Community Memorial Healthcenter would be having cholesterol screenings on February 12th in the town meeting room from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at a cost of $20.00.  This will be open to the public.  Mrs. Talbert asked if the Town could pay a portion of this for the employees.  After a discussion, Mr. Pecht made a motion to authorize the Personnel committee to review and set an amount to pay and if possible to set a figure not to exceed.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

                                                PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Hardy to pay the bills as presented and charge to the proper accounts.  This carried by all ayes.

 

                                                REIMBURSE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Mr. James made a motion to pay $12,011.15 for truck repairs to the Lawrenceville Vol. Fire Department.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

                                                AUTO DECAL DEADLINE

Under new business, Mrs. Talbert explained that due to increased paperwork required for the car tax relief, the County Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue has asked that we change our decal deadline from March 31 to February 28.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. James and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to change the decal deadline to February 28th.  This carried by all ayes.

 

                                                            ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business to come before Council a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Hardy and carried.

 

 

 

 

___________________________MAYOR

 

 

 

___________________________ATTEST