Virtual Care from Your Home

section of the proposed widening project which runs through Stokesdale, has not yet been funded and is still subject to approval.

“So, that may not happen,” Wagoner said.

He added that NCDOT has determined another proposed project (R-5823) – the widening of N.C. 68 at Stokesdale – is not warranted based on current traffic counts. A revised design plan is under review that could include roundabouts at the intersection of Ellisboro Road and Belews Creek Road or additional turn lanes; or a roundabout at N.C. 68 and Lauren Road; or realignment of Sylvania and Lemons Loop with a possible roundabout. NCDOT plans to hold a public meeting with public officials by late summer or early fall.

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0 to approve minutes from the Aug. 11, 2022 council meeting.

Public Safety

Fire Department. Stokesdale Fire Chief Todd Gauldin reported the department responded to 80 calls in May: 47 were medical-related, seven were fire-related and 26 were miscellaneous.

On a safety note, Gauldin advised everyone to make sure charcoal used for outdoor grilling is completely cool before disposing of it; also, be careful when lighting gas grills. Visit the department’s Facebook page for other tips related to grilling.

Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Ryan Seals of Guilford County Sheriff’s Office reported in writing that the District 1 office responded to 204 calls in Stokesdale in May, resulting in 20 formal calls. Warrants were obtained on a suspect for a March 15 residential break-in on Colgate Road.

On May 28, a resident in the 8200 block of Branson Road reported the catalytic converter was stolen from her vehicle while it was parked outside her home.

“We strongly encourage residents and businesses to put surveillance cameras up along their driveways and exterior of their homes if you can afford to do so to assist us in solving such cases,” Seals wrote.

Administrative Report

Town Clerk Dale Martin reported on the number of water meters installed, applications for transfer of water service, meters on hold, and work orders related to the town’s municipal water system, and said 756 water bills were sent out in May. Staff also processed fifty-three 811 calls.

Last month there were 25 shelter rentals and four rentals of the community room in Town Hall.

Required reports were submitted to DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) by the specified deadlines, including the annual Consumer Confidence Report which is posted on the town’s website.

Contracts were executed with the town’s new audit firm, C. Randolph, CPA; with Yates Construction to address erosion problems in Town Park; and with CJ Builders to oversee the construction of and installation of surface materials for the outdoor basketball and pickleball courts in the town park.

Staff also worked to secure grant funds, obtained quotes for internet and telephone service at Town Hall, and assisted with drafting town administrator and town clerk job descriptions.

Committee Reports

Park Improvement Committee. Chair Tee Stephenson said the boundary survey of the 9.88 acres adjoining Town Park has been completed, a plat was submitted and a deed had been filed.

The contract with CJ Builders has been signed, so construction of the basketball and pickleball courts in the town park will soon be underway.

With decisions relating to playground equipment and basketball and pickleball courts finalized, Stephenson said the committee will now move onto other town park projects to take advantage of the federal ARPA funds the town received. Nature trails will be the next focus.

Finance Reports

Finance Officer Kim Thacker gave financial reports for the general fund and water enterprise accounts as of May 31. Assets in the general fund, including accounts receivable, total $3,662,615.

PUBLIC HEARING FY2023-24 Operating Budget

Citizen input. Speaking on behalf of Stokesdale Parks and Recreation’s board of directors, Jordan Balmforth, SP&R president, presented a request for the town to provide matching funds up to $50,000 to cover the cost of what he described as “critical facility upgrades” to the softball and baseball fields at Stokesdale Community Park, which is owned and operated by SP&R. Balmforth said needed upgrades include light poles for the baseball field and softball field, new LED lights for the softball field and reinstallation of LED lights on the baseball field.

“We humbly ask this, having never come to the town asking for funds,” he said, assuring the town council that requesting funds would not be a recurring event. “ e program itself is self-sustaining, thanks to the community and everybody else, from volunteers, sponsorships and fundraising. is is a unique and urgent collaboration that we’re hoping to accomplish for the safety of the kids.”

Balmforth explained the fields’ lighting poles were installed around 1980. Over the last 40+ years the beams have eroded from the weather, been damaged by animals, and are dangerously leaning over; additionally, wiring for the lighting has disintegrated. The life expectancy of the new poles is about 50 years, he said.

Upon request by the council, Balmforth presented a resolution drafted and approved by SP&R’s board of directors to officially request the town provide matching funds and outline how the funds would be used.

When asked about SP&R’s sources of revenue, Balmforth said participants in the nonprofit’s baseball, softball, basketball and soccer programs pay $105 to $125 per season, which goes to cover the cost of uniforms, game officiating, gym rental, soccer field rental, maintenance, mowing, insurance, taxes, and equipment. Sponsorships for soccer, baseball, softball and

... continued on p. 10 basketball programs combined bring in about $10,000 a year.

Concession sales were the No. 1 revenue source for SP&R last year. Significant infrastructure upgrades were made in the last several years, Balmforth said, and more are planned for this summer. Responding to Foy’s question about how many baseball and softball games are played on the fields, he said there are two baseball and two softball games a night, five nights a week, and the season lasts about six months.

„ With an average of 12 members on each baseball and softball team, Foy said that came to 96 kids playing five nights a week; factoring in parents, grandparents, siblings and others, that meant about 300 Stokesdale citizens – or roughly 5% of the town’s population – were on the ballfields at Stokesdale Community Park each night for six months.

All baseball and softball programs require lights.

When learning SP&R’s program draws about 410 volunteers, council members said they were impressed, and Balmforth said before moving to the area he had never seen anything like the level of support the Stokesdale community shows for youth recreational programs.

„ “I have always found that ballfield to be a nucleus of the community,” council member Tim Jones said, adding he appreciated hearing how the community comes together to maintain and operate Stokesdale Community Park. “My one reservation circles back to this being a one-time request. I don’t want parents or kids to make a beeline to this council when they need support…”

„ Jones then asked Balmforth how much in corporate donations SP&R