Stokesdale Town Council meeting

from Northwest Observer / May 19 - June 1, 2022

Summerfi eld Town Council meeting

density housing per acre than the city.

The prospect of higher density housing abutting Summerfield’s town limits spurred the town to ask the county’s Board of Commissioners last year to create an extraterritorial jurisdiction on its southern and eastern borders. The move would have given Summerfield zoning control over the area.

The commissioners rejected the town’s request, prompting the council to pursue voluntary annexation in the area.

Summerfield leaders pointed out that Greensboro has extended water and sewer services to some properties in the area in preparation for the city’s growth.

“Things are coming this way from Greensboro,” Summerfield councilman Reece Walker told the group last month.

In her letter, Vaughan countered that the city’s growth boundaries haven’t changed since the adoption of the agreement in 1997.

“Assertions are being made that Greensboro is somehow taking over Summerfield territory,” Vaughan said. “The falsehoods about the boundary as the rationale for annexation must stop.”

Whitaker described the meeting as “one of open dialogue with county residents, and the town makes no apologies for being proactive in sharing accurate information and options with our neighbors.

“Property owners in the affected area were advised that they do have some future voice regarding how their area develops and grows after the agreement ends in 2027,” Whitaker said. “Summerfield’s growth patterns are lower density and more rural in comparison to Greensboro’s.’’

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/NorthwestObserver May 12 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

as reported by PATTI STOKES

Mayor Mike Crawford called the monthly meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. after technical issues were resolved.

Pastor Ed McKinney of Stokesdale United Methodist Church gave the opening prayer. 40 to approve the agenda after adding two items per Councilman Tim Jones’ request. 40 continue approval of minutes from the Aug. 5, 2021 council meeting to the June 9 meeting. 31 to approve (in three separate votes) the Aug. 12, 2021 and Sept. 2, 2021 regular meeting minutes and Sept. 2, 2021 closed session meeting minutes as presented, with Jones opposed because he was not on the council when those meetings took place. 40 to approve (in two separate votes) the April 7 budget workshop meeting minutes and April 14 regular council meeting minutes as presented. Public Safety. Stokesdale Fire Chief Todd Gauldin said the fire district responded to 40 medical calls, 25 firerelated and 21 calls in the “other” category during the month of April, so is still trending toward 80 to 100 average calls per month.

On a safety note, Gauldin advised residents to check gas tanks and hoses on their gas grills to ensure they are in proper working order, and to keep the lid up if the gas is turned on but there is no flame; also, if cooking with charcoal, place the burnt charcoal in a safe place and douse it with water before discarding.

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Subject to credit approval, see store for details Events. The annual Christmas parade is scheduled for the second Saturday in December, Councilman Derek Foy reported. Property. The grill for the shelter on the west side of the park has been repaired and will be reinstalled.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Town Clerk Dale Martin reported on the number of water meters installed, meters placed on hold by builders and meters in stock, as well as applications received for transfer of water service; Martin said 650 water bills were sent out in April and 14 picnic shelter reservations were processed. Town staff is working on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year and will soon be compiling budget books.

A list of subdivisions within the town is also being compiled, with each phase in chronological order. Waste and Recycling. Foy confirmed June 30 will be Republic Services’ last day as the town’s waste and recycling collector and the company will communicate with customers in the coming weeks about the changeover to GFL, which will take effect July 1. Information about the changeover will also be posted on the town’s website and Facebook page.

“I commend Republic for wanting to go out on a high note,” Foy said. (See related article on FC.)

FINANCE REPORT

Finance Officer Kim Thacker said the American Rescue Plan compliance report for the first quarter was submitted in April; she then provided balance sheets and year-to-date budget reports for the town’s general fund and water enterprise accounts. CDAR renewals. Interest rates on the town’s CDARS have dropped to .08%. Foy noted when he first started on the council in late 2019, rates were 2.8%.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Summerfield resident Cheri Pikett addressed the council on the topic of social

emotional learning, which she said “creates anger and hate in children and puts wedges between them that didn’t exist.” Pikett noted the curriculum is being used in the Guilford County Schools system.

Pikett suggested anyone interested in learning more visit www.TakeBackOurSchools-GCS.com. Eileen Thiery requested the council clarify who is responsible for maintaining the area around the town clock in front of Stokesdale Fire Department, and that the council establish a procedure for nonprofits to make financial requests of the town.

“We are blessed with a fire department that regularly maintains the fire house and the surrounding land,” Thiery said. “Therefore, out of respect for our first responders, is it asking too much for the town to take over the maintenance of the planted area surrounding the town clock?”

OLD BUSINESS

40 to approve updated water line specifications which state that all main water lines will be run with 8-inch PVC Class C900 (as opposed to a choice between 6-inch or 8-inch as previously stated), and include grammatical changes and corrections. Coke machine. Continuing this discussion from April, Councilman Jones motioned to wrap a tarp around a Coke machine at the concession stand in the town park and place an “Out of Service” sign on it.

“If someone acknowledges the machine is theirs, send them a bill for the electricity consumed by the machine,” Jones said, noting the average electricity cost for a drink machine is $300 annually.

When Crawford asked if the machine is used, Rigsbee said it was likely put there as a service to citizens since the concession stand isn’t operable.

Crawford said he had spoken with a Coca Cola vending machine representative and was told a previous council member approved the installation. He then suggested postponing a vote on Jones’ motion, but Foy said he was ready to vote and move on. 31 (Foy opposed) to continue the discussion on the drink machine to the June meeting. Coverage of this meeting will be continued in our June 2-15 issue.

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