Preview: Oak Ridge Town Council meeting, March 30

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge Town Council plans to consider approving a bid of $630,000 from Bar Construction Co. for the renovation and expansion of the historic Redmon house into the Farmhouse Community Center.

The proposed renovation of the circa 1930s house in Town Park has sparked debate since the town took over possession of the property in 2018. In a bid opening two weeks ago, Greensboro-based Bar submitted the lowest of three bids that the council plans to consider for approval. (See related article on FC)

On a related matter, the council will consider approving the scope of work for a $75,000 state grant for the renovation and new construction of the Farmhouse Community Center. The town asked the local legislative delegation for help securing the N.C. State Community Infrastructure Fund Grant through the state’s annual budget appropriations, Town Manager Bill Bruce wrote in a March 28 memo.

In other business, the council plans to consider approving a site plan and a digital rendering of the proposed elevated water tank behind Town Hall on Linville Road.

If approved by the council, the town will submit the site plan to the Planning and Zoning Board for zoning approval, according to Bruce. The site plan and proposed tower graphics will also be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission for a certificate of appropriateness.

Separately, the council will consider amending the town’s contract with

McGill Associates, the engineering firm helping with development of Heritage Farm Park. An addendum to the agreement for construction phase services would provide for a part-time construction field representative to observe the progress and quality of the work two days a week during 42 weeks of construction.

The position would be responsible for other duties as well, at a cost to the town of $147,600, according to a memo by Bruce.

The council will also consider approving the destruction of 24 boxes of town documents, including bank statements and accounts payable and receivables paperwork, predating 2019.

Retention of these documents is no longer required by state law, resulting in the storage of “boxes of records with little or no reference value” in Town Hall, assistant Town Manager Sandra Smith wrote in a March 24 memo.

In addition, the council will consider approving a resolution concurring with the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s plan to add four streets in the Bellagio subdivision to the state’s road maintenance system.

The council will also consider approving the reappointment of Courtenay Harton to the Historic Preservation Commission.

want to attend/watch?

The 7 p.m. meeting at Town Hall this Thursday, March 30, is open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.oakridgenc.com.