WHAT MADE THE NEWS IN 2022

Park improvements on the horizon

The town council wrapped up the year with four projects topping the list of improvements in Stokesdale Town Park at Martin’s Meadow.

After meeting weekly since July, the Town Park Improvement Committee recommended the addition of playground equipment and construction of an amphitheater, nature trails and a basketball court with six goals. The projects reflect the preferences of respondents in a park survey conducted for the town in 2020.

A public forum was held in early January to gather additional input from residents about improvements to the park behind Town Hall. Foy noted that park expenditures would be an appropriate use of pandemic relief funds that Stokesdale received from the federal government.

The installation of playground equipment may be the first improvement. The council voted in December to seek proposals from vendors for $95,000 worth of equipment geared to children ages 5 through 12. It wants the equipment – including two slides and a handicap-accessible swing that would be added to the existing swing set – to be installed by May 26.

Council evaluates extending water lines

The council is moving ahead with plans for upgrading and expanding the town’s water system to accommodate a rising demand for housing.

As developers roll out new subdivisions to meet demand for new housing, Stokesdale leaders anticipate that, longer term, the development of a 300-acre industrial park in nearby southern Rockingham County may also spur the growth of the housing market.

The town wants to expand its water system in anticipation of its current number of customers doubling to about 1,500 over the next seven to 10 years. It also wants to bolster the reliability of its water supply with construction of a second line.

Stokesdale plans to pay for water projects with its $3.1 million in federal pandemic relief funds, awarded by the county’s Board of Commissioners in August. Separately, the town has gotten roughly $1.1 million in state appropriations for water infrastructure.

In December, the council approved a $2,500 proposal by engineering firm Hazen & Sawyer to prepare models of two options for extending water lines.

One of the lines would create a loop connecting Coldwater, Belews Creek and Oak Level Church roads. A second route, which the firm recommended, would run along Anthony, Happy Hill, Warner and Haw River roads.

Republic Services out, GFL Environmental in

GFL Environmental took over garbage and recycling pickup July 1, replacing Republic Services which drew complaints from customers and town leaders even after its contract ended.

After commending Republic Services for its “well-thought-out” exit plan, Foy expressed his disappointment with the company’s actual performance, saying, “It would be best if they left my name off any reference list as they seek future business.”

Republic Services officials acknowledged lapses in picking up garbage and recycling, attributing that partly to a labor shortage, and its inability to stop what councilman Tim Jones called “beyond a reasonable amount of (hydraulic fluid) leakage.”

GFL Environmental representatives said they’re confronted by some of the same challenges as Republic Services, but the company has been able to navigate through the problems.

New deputy clerk joins town hall staff

The council hired Robbie Wagoner in July 2022 as the town’s new deputy clerk with the expectation that he will progress in the job and replace town clerk Dale Martin when she retires later this year.

Stokesdale received more than 120 applications for the deputy clerk’s position. Wagoner is a 2019 graduate of UNC-Charlotte, where he majored in criminal justice with a minor in sociology. Previously, he worked as administrative assistant for the town of Rural Hall and as office assistant for a law firm in Walnut Cove.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for 2023

Visit the town’s website at www.stokesdale.org, check out the latest issue of the Northwest Observer, or visit www.nwobserver.com for updates on community events in Stokesdale for 2023.

Stokesdale Town Council

2nd Thursday each month, 7 p.m. Attend in-person or view meetings live via the town’s YouTube channel

DETAILS: www.stokesdale.org

Good Samaritan food pantry

Last Saturday* each month, 9-11 a.m. (*3rd Saturday in November & December)

DETAILS: www.stokesdalegsm.org

Community farmers market Tuesdays, 4 to 7 p.m., late April-early October Stokesdale United Methodist Church 8305 Loyola Drive, Stokesdale

Veterans Day ceremony

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. Veterans Memorial 6826 U.S. 158, Stokesdale

RAIN LOCATION: Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road

Angel Tree program sponsored by Good Samaritan Ministries

November-December

DETAILS: www.stokesdalegsm.org

Christmas parade*

Saturday, Dec. 9 2 p.m., Downtown Stokesdale

*Just as in the previous two years, a pre-parade craft show, food trucks and live music will be part of Parade Day festivities in 2023.