16 minute read
Stokesdale Town Council meeting
Sept. 8 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
as reported by PATTI STOKES
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After calling the monthly council meeting to order at 7 p.m., Mayor Mike Crawford acknowledged the upcoming 21st anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, then led a moment of silence.
In recognition of Constitution Week (Sept. 17-23) and the 235th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, Crawford read a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23, 2022, to be Constitution Week and asked citizens to “reaffirm the ideals framers of the constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties.”
Crawford said the flag at Town Hall would fly at half-staff on Friday, Sept. 9, through the morning of Monday, Sept. 12, in memory of 9/11.
Crawford then addressed criticism the council recently received for “a variety of things.”
“Some of it we may be due, and some of it I’m not sure we’re responsible for,” he said.
First, he explained Stokesdale Elementary’s principal approached the town last month about paying for a deputy to help with traffic issues during the first week of school. Rather than use taxpayer dollars, Crawford said he and Derek Foy, the mayor pro tem, secured private funding to pay for a deputy.
“To my knowledge, that was satisfactory,” Crawford said.
The mayor then quoted the late President John F. Kennedy, who in his inaugural speech said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
“And, Ronald Reagan believed in the trickle-down theory, which would bring something like this down to our township,” he said. “Ask not what your town can do for you, ask what you can do for your town.”
The town was also criticized for not planning a 9/11 memorial, Crawford said.
“If the townsfolks have a strong feeling about this, bring it to our attention,” he said. “We don’t necessarily have to lead the way, but the townspeople can, and we’ll fill in wherever we have to.”
After adding an agenda item requested by council member Tim Jones, the meeting agenda was adopted. 4 1 (Jones opposed) to adopt minutes from the Sept. 9, 2021 meeting; Jones opposed because he wasn’t on the council at the time so couldn’t verify the minutes accurately reflected what transpired at the meeting. 5 0 (in two separate votes) to adopt minutes from the July 14, 2022 council meeting with one addition, and
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PUBLIC SERVICE
Randy Southard, Stokesdale Fire Department’s deputy chief, reported the department responded to 75 calls in August and responded to a record 1,000+ calls last fiscal year, which ended June 30.
For a safety tip, Southard recommended citizens download the G.E.A.N.I. app, which he said is an excellent tool to stay informed about severe weather in the area. To sign up, go to www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county and select “Emergency Notifications” at the top of the homepage.
When asked about the department’s board of directors, Southard said the board has 12 members, elected in groups of four for threeyear terms. No new board members were elected at the annual meeting in July.
Crawford thanked attorney Scott Tippett, who was filling in for town attorney Tom Medlin.
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Town clerk Dale Martin reported on the number of new applications for water service and water meters ordered, on hold and in stock. She said 700 water customers were billed in August and after 15 customers received courtesy calls about past-due accounts, seven of them brought their balance up-to-date.
Seven reservations were recently made for the Town Hall chambers and park picnic shelters, Martin added.
A subdivision checklist has been updated to outline the process for bringing a new subdivision onto the water system.
Deputy clerk Robbie Wagoner is training on water meter setups so he can fill in for Priscilla Hunsucker if/when she’s out.
The Coke machine in the park’s concession stand has finally been removed, Martin reported (the continued presence of the machine has been a point of contention for the last several months, especially for council member Tim Jones).
Gov. Cooper has rescinded the State of Emergency implemented in March 2020, the clerk added, which means the council can no longer meet remotely as a group. Park Improvement Committee. Chair Tee Stephenson reported committee members have been meeting weekly and reviewing results of a survey the town conducted a few years ago to help guide priorities. They’ve also visited several area parks, including those in Summerfield, Oak Ridge, Wentworth and Jamestown, to get ideas for desirable features to possibly incorporate in Stokesdale’s town park.
The committee is narrowing down its ideas for amphitheater design and materials. The landscape architect submitted a preliminary site plan for the amphitheater, which the committee returned with suggested revisions.
Committee members are also discussing options for more playground equipment in the park.
“We want to move forward with what makes the most sense and serves the most citizens at a reasonable cost,” Stephenson said.
FINANCIALS
Finance officer Kim Thacker presented updated balances in the town’s general fund and water enterprise accounts and noted the town had received another $362,7375.50 in American Rescue Plan funding.
Thacker also noted the town has contributed to the state employees’ retirement fund since July.
Information for the annual audit has been submitted to the auditing firm.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mark Nadel thanked the mayor for officially recognizing 9/11. As a former first responder in New York, he said the issue is very personal to him and he felt the town should take the lead on organizing a 9/11 ceremony each year.
“Everyone says ‘Never Forget,’ but we are already forgetting,” Nadel said.
Councilman Jim Rigsbee asked if Nadel would be willing to help coordinate the ceremony and Nadel said he would. Eileen Thiery praised Robbie Wagoner, the town’s new deputy clerk, and said Friends of Stokesdale will sponsor a social/dance on Sept. 16, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Longhouse, with a DJ, refreshments and a silent auction. The nonprofit will also host Farmers’ Day on Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stokesdale United Methodist Church, when citizens will be invited to see farm equipment on display, enjoy live music, food and a contest for “Ms.” and “Mr. Farmers’ Day” for children 5 and under. Randy Southard clarified the fire department has never organized a 9/11 ceremony, rather supported others who have done so. 5 0 to enter into a new 3-year contract with Gray & Creech to keep the existing Sharp copier at Town Hall, at $144/month and an equipment maintenance agreement of $1,464/year.
Announces the 2023 Easter Horse Show 2023 Easter Horse Show & Rodeo will be held at Hardin Farm & Stables in Stokesdale
April 7 & 8, 2023
The Oak Ridge Horse Show Association Board of Directors are excited to announce that given the growth and success of the reinvigorated Easter Horse Show & Rodeo, the 2023 show will be held at Hardin Farm & Stables, 8201 Millrun Road in Stokesdale. Hardin’s has convenient access for both the local community and those traveling to the show from Highways 158 and 220. This facility will support space for additional activity and class options, as well as improved parking and traffic flow in and out. The new location will also allow for more permanent placement of horse show equipment and facilities required as the show expands to include even more offerings going forward. A special thank you to Renee Weidel for allowing us to hold the show at Steeple Hill Farm these past two years. Given all the other challenges associated with restarting this great tradition, use of the Steeple Hill facility allowed us to focus on and conquer those concerns. We are truly grateful for Renee’s generosity in permitting us to begin again in such a wonderful equestrian venue.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 show!
OakRidgeHorseShow.org | ORHSAASSOC
March due to illness. Prior to that he served as a member of and chairman of the town’s Planning Board. He was also a member of Oak Ridge Lions Club for almost 20 years, and he helped found Preservation Oak Ridge and served as its president.
“He and Cathy (Nodine’s wife) epitomized service,” said Oak Ridge resident Frank Kelleher, who said he knew Nodine through Oak Ridge Lions Club.
Nodine was a fan of singersongwriter Bob Dylan, and Kelleher shared lyrics from one of Dylan’s songs, “I shall be released,” which he said reminded him of Nodine.
“They say every man needs protection, They say that every man must fall, Yet I swear I see my reflection, Somewhere so high above this wall. I see my light come shining, From the west down to the east, Any day now, any day now, I shall be released.”
Jeff Bair said he got to know Nodine through Preservation Oak Ridge.
“I first met him when I went to see if I could do anything (for the nonprofit, which raised private funds and restored the historic Ai Church at N.C. 68 and Alcorn Road). “We got along real good, and I was honored to be able to work with him for all those years.
“At the funeral they called him ‘Captain.’ Very much, he was captain of Preservation Oak Ridge and the Ai Church,” Bair added. “We’re going to miss him.”
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Councilman Jim Kinneman said it was sometimes hard to tell whether Nodine was serious or kidding because regardless, he could keep a straight face. He shared a story about Nodine once telling him he had a twin brother named Dennis.
“He had me going for five or 10 minutes, and was serious and straight-faced,” Kinneman said. “Finally, I realized he was pulling my leg. That was classic Doug, to tell me he had a twin brother.”
Amy Klug said Doug and his wife, Cathy, had been very welcoming when she and her husband purchased the Old Mill on N.C. 68 several years ago and became part of the community.
“I admired his dedication to Oak Ridge and the Ai Church,” she said.
Council member Martha Pittman described Nodine as a “man of few words” with a sharp wit and a lot of integrity.
“Even when you were on differing sides of any discussion, he treated everyone with respect and you knew exactly where he was coming from,” she said, then added, “What I will most miss is that deep chuckle when he knew he had gotten the best of you.”
“Doug loved Oak Ridge and expressed it in so many different ways,” councilman Spencer Sullivan said. “We served together (on the council) four years, with me as mayor… Doug expressed himself in a very direct, precise manner. I once kidded him about being an old curmudgeon, and that brought on that smile.
Sullivan added that he appreciated Nodine’s help when, many years ago, the town was involved in a zoning dispute with a property owner.
“I was representing the town but needed another town council member,” Sullivan said. “I wanted Doug because I respected his opinions and negotiating skills. We were able to successfully resolve that issue. I consider it an honor to be sitting in his chair and I’m grateful I knew him.”
Councilman George McClellan said he and Nodine would discuss politics and sometimes disagree, but he always had a lot of respect for the man.
Describing Nodine as a “commonsense person,” Mayor Ann Schneider said, “He would surprise you sometimes with a gruff compliment. He enjoyed being unpredictable. I miss him in our Lions Club meetings, and here on the council.”
Cathy Nodine took the opportunity to express gratitude to all the local firefighters and other emergency responders who came to her and Doug’s home during his last months of illness.
“How wonderful these servants of our community are,” she said.
5 0 to approve a $1,400 proposal by Hunter Enterprises for soccer field turf repairs and sod installation in the town park. Hazen & Sawyer. Aaron Babson with Hazen & Sawyer was on hand to answer questions about his firm’s proposal to review plans and specifications and provide periodic inspection services for the water system’s permit applicants.
Rigsbee asked if the town would recoup the cost for these services and Jones said no, not even a fraction of this cost, so raising fees needs to be considered. 5 0 to approve $8,000 spending authority for services outlined in Hazen & Sawyer’s proposal for on-call engineering services for the Blacksmith subdivision and others, and inspections to ensure compliance with the town’s water line specifications. Grant funding. Councilman Derek Foy said grant money is available from N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Water Infrastructure, in the fall 2022 funding round for water systems across North Carolina.
Hazen & Sawyer has had good success with helping clients receive grants for water infrastructure and sewer systems, Foy noted. As part of the application, an engineering study would be required, which Hazen & Sawyer could perform. 5 0 to approve an $8,000 proposal from Hazen & Sawyer to assist with applying for a $400,000 grant. 5 0 (in two separate motions) to adopt a resolution to apply for an asset inventory grant and adopt a pre-construction planning grant, both through the Dept. of Water Infrastructure. Emergency repairs. Jones said Gene Robertson with Yates Construction recently performed emergency repairs to a large sink hole in the town park after a sheriff’s deputy informed Jones and Mayor Crawford about it. ...continued on p. 47
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