Town issues water system pressure advisory

Aberdeen Town Manager Paul Sabiston discussed the $1.8 million revenue generated in sales tax at the June 22 town board meeting. He said that the town was in better shape than others because it “looked like” they will exceed the average by 10% to 15%.

The county is going to share $20,000 of its state COVID-19 relief funds with the town.

Finance Director Butch Watson released budget data and said that they need to make “half a million dollars” to meet the difference of the $9.8 million revenue to the $9.1 million expenditures for the general fund.

The Department of Transportation sent a $161,000 check for well-head money.

“I was shocked that we received it,” Watson said about the “good news” on the funds sent during a time people are working from home.

Also, summer camp regulations are still waiting for the governor’s COVID-19 recommendations.

There was discussion about a proposed dog park that has a $25,000 cash bond in budget for Meadow Ridge Undesignated Recreational Amenity. It is proposed that a developer create an area for a dog park, near the neighborhood, and leave some trees in open spaces in the now densely wooded area measuring just under an acre. Meadow Ridge subdivision is located off of Highway 5.

Contributed photo.

Several residents near the proposed dog park site spoke against the dog park citing noise, increase in flies, less privacy, smell, traffic congestion, drug dealing, run-away dogs, dog bites, and whom to sue.

It was mentioned that a facility in place will increase police surveillance.

One Meadow Ridge resident spoke for the proposed dog park and said that she really wanted a children’s park.

There is no home-owners association, and the land use was granted under public use, so a park would not be an exclusive neighborhood park.

If the neighborhood residents continue to stand against a recreational amenity, the funding can be used for a park elsewhere.

Planning Director Justin Westbrook presented Thomas Tire’s request for a special use permit to establish a “Vehicle Establishment, Minor” for a new location at North Sandhills Blvd. and U.S. 15-501, and it passed.

The 3.39 acres has adjacent business properties, and the special use permit covers diagnostics, wheel alignment and minor repairs but not auto sales. No residents had made a stand against the special use permit.

Neal Smith Engineering requested a special use permit to add “Flea Market/Antique Mall, Indoor” and “Retail Sales, Large” to the Light Industrial zoning district at the Gulistan property on Highway 5.

Concern over losing a large corporate retailer was mentioned and so was the fact that the existing structure could be demolished should a large corporation with “the right price” make an offer.

While it was mentioned that the rezoning measure be acted on with the existing “lenient” board, a move was made to deny the motion, and it did not pass.

The board heard considerations for clarifications, typos and updates to be made in Text Amendment to sections of the Unified Development Ordinance.

The board heard and passed budget recommendations on the Sportsplex Park Development Grant Project Ordinance, the Police Station Renovation and Expansion Project Ordinance and the 2020-2021 budget.

The Sportsplex is located on the former Ransdell property on Highway 15-501. The town plans to develop rectangular field spaces on the property, along with a concession stand. 

Written by Sandhills Sentinel Journalism Intern Stephanie M. Sellers.

 

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