Summerfield Fire District

Emergency

Properly use and store gasoline

• Only use gasoline as motor fuel; never as a cleaner or to break down grease.

• Only store gasoline in a container that is sold for that purpose, and never bring it indoors, even in small amounts. Keep containers in a detached garage or an outdoor shed.

• Make sure the container is tightly capped when not in use.

Carefully dispose of rags with paint and stain residue

• The oils commonly used in oilbased paints and stains release heat as they dry. If the heat is not released in the air as the rags dry, the heat is trapped, builds up, and can cause a fire.

• Put dried rags in a metal container, making sure the container is tightly covered. Fill the container with a water and detergent solution, which will break down the oils. Store in a cool place. Check with your town for information on how to properly dispose of the dry rags.

Use/store flammable and combustible liquids with care

• Flammable and combustible liquids should not be used near an open flame. Never smoke when working with flammable liquids.

• If you spill flammable liquids on your clothing, remove your clothing and place it outside to dry. Once dry, clothing can be laundered.

Inspect grills to ensure they’re in good working order

• Inspect your grill carefully and make sure it’s free of grease or fat buildup. Clean out any nests, spider webs, or other debris you may find.

• For propane grills, check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

Keep debris well away from your home

• Dispose of branches, weeds, leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings to avoid their becoming fuel for a fire.

• Remove leaves, pine needles, and other flammable material from the roof, gutters, and on and under the deck to help prevent embers from igniting your home.

• Keep debris well away from your home.

Clean out your clothes dryer

• Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe for your dryer is not restricted and that the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. This includes making sure the outdoor vent flap is not covered by snow.

• Move things that can burn, such as boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing, away from the dryer.

• Clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances should be laid outside to dry first, before washing and drying as usual.

Dating back to the 1750s, the church may have served as a hospital for wounded British soldiers after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781, he said.

Citizen Comments

 Teresa Perryman urged Summerfield leaders to do more to encourage residents to voice their opposition to landowner David Couch’s efforts to deannex as many as 973 acres in the town.

Later in the meeting, Mayor Sessoms and Councilman Reece Walker praised residents who had contacted state legislators to express opposition to the de-annexation proposal.

“What citizens are doing is more impactful than anything the town could do,” Walker said.

Public Hearing

Rezoning request

 4  1 (DeVaney opposed) to approve a request by GreenGo Buggies owners Nikki and Brian Price to rezone nearly 6.1 acres at 7620 Deboe Road where they plan to construct a building for their business.

Due to rising demand for their “street legal golf carts,” the couple plans to buy the Deboe Road property, located off N.C. 150, and relocate their business from its current location at the former Purgason’s Western Wear property at the corner of Auburn Road and U.S. 220.

The Prices sought rezoning of the Deboe Road property from singlefamily residential (RS-30) to conditional zoning business district (CZ-BN). They agreed to several conditions the council sought, one of which limits to 10 the number of items, including vehicles and trailers, that may be displayed in the front yard of the property.

Before the council’s vote, DeVaney asked the couple to agree to eliminate several business uses from the proposed zoning district; they agreed to eliminate some uses, including a convenience store with gasoline sales, but not others, such as a hotel or motel.

During the public hearing that preceded the council’s vote, Gail Dunham described Deboe Road as a “narrow rural road” and questioned whether it would be able to handle additional traffic generated by the new business. She said she’d prefer the business relocate elsewhere.

MANAGER’S REPORT

A&Y Greenway engineering. The council decided to delay its decision on hiring engineering firm Kimley-Horn to complete planning and provide right-of-way acquisition services for the southern route of the A&Y Greenway. The potential price tag for the project is $642,624.89, with NCDOT paying 80% of the cost and the town 20%.

At the time of the meeting, town staff hadn’t had time to review KimleyHorn’s proposal in detail and finalize some proposed last-minute changes, according to Town Manager Scott Whitaker.

Summerfield is seeking a new engineering firm to complete the trail project after Whitaker recently terminated the town’s original contract with Stewart, the firm hired in 2015 to plan the A&Y’s southern route. The manager previously expressed his dissatisfaction with Stewart – partly due to the firm’s lack of staffing – in performing the duties.

During public comments earlier in the meeting, Gail Dunham said town staff needs to secure road easements for the trail’s southern route before proceeding with further project design and planning.

Martin house price reduction

 5  0 to reduce the town’s asking price for the historic Martin house (located directly across from Town

File photo

Summerfield Town Council voted during its March 14 meeting to reduce the price of the historic Martin house at the corner of N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road from $100,000 to $75,000 to accommodate the bid of a potential buyer.

Hall) from $100,000 to $75,000 to accommodate a potential bid for the property. Whitaker said the bidder is seeking a lower price to offset costs for installing a new septic system and replacing the water well.

The town hired Preservation North Carolina (PNC) last year to market the Martin house on N.C. 150 and Summerfield Road, as well as the historic Gordon Hardware building located diagonally across the street from it.

Until the council voted to lower the asking price for the Martin house, PNC wasn’t able to negotiate a price lower than $100,000, Whitaker said, noting that PNC recommended the $25,000 price reduction.

Walker said he favored reducing the price to help facilitate the sale of the building and it being put to use. Later in an interview, Whitaker declined to identify the use proposed by the bidder.

New auditor hired

 5  0 to hire C Randolph CPA to perform the town’s audit for the next three years. Based in West Jefferson, North Carolina, the firm replaces Wade Greene as the town’s auditor.

C Randolph CPA was the only firm that submitted a bid to perform the town’s auditing services, according to Dee Hall, the town’s finance officer.

Council Business

Bandera Farms house rental

 5  0 to rent the house located on the Bandera Farms Park property at 5448 Bunch Road for $500/month for up to one year. At the advice of Town Attorney Bob Hornik, the council advertised its intent to lease the property last month.

Before that step, the council had identified a Summerfield firefighter as a potential renter, according to the draft lease and a memo Whitaker sent to the council.

Closed Session

The council went into closed session to discuss a legal matter. After reconvening into open session, it voted unanimously to approve a resolution urging state lawmakers to oppose