The Town of Aberdeen unanimously passed eight considerations at its May 11 meeting, including improving roads connecting to Fort Bragg.
The town pledged support for the Improving Bragg Roads and Access for Greater Growth Project (iBRAGG) which will implement maintenance on roads connecting Fort Bragg to Aberdeen. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC-DOT) projects long-term savings with improved safety for all travelers and Fort Bragg, along with federal grants, will fund iBRAGG.
The estimated cost of iBRAGG is $32.7 million. Over the past five years, about $2.5 million per mile has been paid out for death, damage and accident dividends on these roadways. The NC-DOT study estimates a net benefit in savings for fewer payouts over the course of 29 years, at approximately $35.7 million.
During the COVID-19 Phase 1 preparedness plans, the state set aside $300 million for the Department of Transportation to keep jobs going and maintain roads.
The iBRAGG project begins with the reconstruction of a set of roads at Fort Bragg which do not meet NC-DOT specifications and expands into connecting Ring Roads. Read the details.
In other business, the town also unanimously agreed on the demolition of two homes. Brooks Grading, Hauling and Landscaping, LLC won the bid to demolish and clean up the property for $10,500 at 985 Pee Dee Road. Dale Hight will demolish the house at 1107 Keyser St. for $2,960.
Duke Energy will begin removal of 21 existing decorative streetlights in Downtown Aberdeen in late summer with LED lights on decorative 1920’s style black fluted 16’ tall poles. The estimated cost for utilities is $490 month with an initial cost of $11,706.
The town clerk will investigate the resolution of 20-20 annex of a resident’s property consisting of four parcels totaling 1.58 acres on N.C. Hwy 5, north of Linden Road. The property is currently in Pinehurst zoning. The residents want it zoned into Aberdeen. The clerk will present findings, and then a public hearing will be held.
Also, the payoff from the town’s general fund of the police/fire land located at 805 N. Poplar St. and 804 Holly St. in the amount of approximately $97,000 was passed. A rate modification loan will then be contracted for the approximate $97,000 with First Bank at 2.45% and save the taxpayers $2-3 thousand in finance charges.
Three other modifications were made to save Aberdeen taxpayers’ money.
A rate modification with PNC Bank for a fire truck with a loan balance of $666,306.20 at 2.55% for eight years passed.
Finance terms with BB&T for a fire pumper with a loan balance of $453,365.82 at 2.58% for years passed.
Finance terms with BB&T for police/fire vehicles with a loan balance of $79,581.72 at 2.46% for two years passed.
“Rates went high a month ago during the pandemic, and interest rates went back down, and offers are phenomenal now,” Town Manager Paul Sabiston said.
The 2020-2021 Budget Hearing for June 8, 2020, at 6 p.m. will be conducted as a live meeting. Two weeks before the meeting the town manager will present a budget proposal at the May 26 meeting for the mayor’s review. The June 8 meeting will be held at the Parks and Recreation building to facilitate social distancing guidelines while allowing the public to make comments.
Because the meeting will be live, the board may vote that night without a 24-hour hold.
Written by Sandhills Sentinel UNCPJournalism Intern Stephanie M. Sellers.
Photo via NC-DOT and Fort Bragg.
