town report R E A L E STAT E
COM PIL ED BY C ATH ERI N E KOZ A K
Currituck County The Currituck County Water Department has launched a new program to prevent contaminants from entering the drinking water system. As a proactive measure to stop backflows and cross-connections that can carry pollutants and other toxins, the county is working to enforce existing regulations and forestall problems that could harm the drinking water quality. Backflows happen when the water flow reverses because of a change in the water system, such as a break in the water main or excess pressure on a customer’s water supply, while cross-connections describe a link between potable water and potential pollutants. Charles Sawyer has been hired as the county’s new water department backflow cross-connection operator. Sawyer is charged with inspecting facilities connected to the system, assessing potential contaminations of the water system, and ensuring that all devices are tested and maintained by certified professionals.
Duck An increase in trash pickup days throughout the town has become unpopular with some Duck residents, but it’s unlikely to change for the time being. At the October 6 town council meeting, representatives from Waste Management, Inc. explained that labor shortages and an enormous spike in the volume of trash created by Covid-19 disruptions will make it difficult to quickly return to the former pickup schedule and routing system. Although the majority of the 357 residents who responded to a town survey agreed to a trial change that split the town into southern and northern routes and doubled trash pickup days to four times a week, many residents have 32 | W I N T ER 2021
since complained about increased traffic backups and noise. Council members agreed to continue discussions with Waste Management and the community in an effort to resolve this issue.
Southern Shores With a labor shortage that has made it difficult to fill a police officer position, the Southern Shores Town Council agreed during its October 5 meeting to increase the officer salary range in order to attract more candidates in a highly competitive job market. At the suggestion of Town Manager Cliff Ogburn, the council agreed to create a separate pay scale for the police department that will allow it to adjust to market forces. The town’s previous advertisement for a police officer position offered a salary range of $44,354 to $66,531. As of November 1, the annual starting salary for that position will range from $47,354 to $71,031.
Kitty Hawk A conceptual building for town police, emergency management services (EMS) and fire services that meets the expectations and needs expressed by Kitty Hawk town officials would cost close to $10 million, nearly twice the $5.5 million budgeted, according to a presentation given at a town council meeting on September 7. David Woodward, with Baltimore-based architectural design firm, Manns Woodward Studios, told the council that for the project to meet that budget, either the size of the building or a portion of each service space would need to be reduced substantially. Another option would be to eliminate the fire or EMS services. The council thanked Woodward for his suggestions, and has not taken further actions on the matter as of press time.
What’s happening in your town? Here’s a report from all over the Outer Banks.
Kill Devil Hills Major drainage and road upgrades on west Third Street between the U.S.158 Bypass and Bay Drive started this past fall, after the Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners approved a $2,639,375 contract in September with FCS II, LLC for water line, drainage and right-of-way improvements. With additional fees for sideway construction and engineering, the total cost for the .67-mile-long project is $2,944,415. The project is expected to be completed by May 2022.
Nags Head On September 1, the Nags Head Board of Commissioners promoted Andy Garman to the post of town manager. Garman, who has served as the town’s deputy town manager since 2019, previously served as Nags Head’s town planner, and later, as director of community development in Duck. He returned to Nags Head in 2014 in the dual role of deputy town manager and director of planning and development. In other news, Nags Head oceanfront property owners are invited to apply to participate in the 2021-2022 dune vegetation cost-share program that started in October 2021. Grantees are eligible for reimbursement of up to $500 in order to plant approved native dune plants, with additional funds provided for properties wider than 100 linear feet or those working in conjunction with at least one adjacent property. Any interested oceanfront property owners of single-family homes, residential condominiums, cottage courts or motel/ hotels are eligible to apply, and funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Manteo In an October 19 press release, the town of Manteo announced that Town Manager James Ayers is stepping down from his position. Hired in January 2019, Ayers succeeded former manager Kermit Skinner, who retired after more than 30 years. Ayers had previously served in various municipal administrative positions in South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina. The town board said it will announce its options for filling the position in the near future.
Dare County More options for two popular activities in Dare County – camping and eating – may be on the horizon, with the October 2021 approval for the construction of a proposed campground in Skyco, and the go-ahead to expand the number of food trucks allowed in unincorporated areas. Following an earlier recommendation from the county planning board, the Dare County Board of Commissioners voted in favor of a zoning amendment that will allow businesses to locate as many as five mobile food trucks on their property. In 2018, the zoning ordinance was amended to allow one food truck on properties in unincorporated areas of Dare, which encompasses Hatteras Island, Colington Island and Roanoke Island, except for the town of Manteo and mainland communities. In a separate meeting, the county planning board recommended a proposed 120-unit campground in Skyco, which would be located on 415 acres off N.C. 345 and will include space for travel trailers, tents and cabins.
