BY DEBBIE PAGE
Troutman Town Council members voted Monday to eliminate the annual Independence Day festival and fireworks show at the Iredell County Fairgrounds because of the hardship on town personnel and rising costs associated with the event.
During last week’s planning retreat, Town Manager Ron Wyatt and Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson discussed the long hours required of town staff and the police department to put on the parade at 11 a.m. and the set up and clean up for the evening festival. Some employees worked as much as 32 hours in two days.
“Some are working 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. with no break in the heat of July,” said Watson.
The cost of fireworks for this year’s show were set to increase $2,500 to nearly $13,000, and with the band, other costs, and salaries, Wyatt said the cost for the day’s events easily reaches $25,000.
A nonprofit originally ran the fairgrounds festival event, with the town just providing fireworks and security, and the Marine Corps League initially organized the parade in its early years, but over time, both events fell back on the town as these groups pulled back their participation.
Wyatt reported that in discussions over the past few week since the planning retreat, the staff wanted to continue the parade but eliminate the evening events.
The council voted 5-0 to continue the Independence Day parade but eliminate the fairgrounds events.
BUDGET RETREAT SESSIONS SET
Council scheduled the first day of its annual budget retreat for Wednesday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A followup session is planned for Wednesday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both will occur at Town Hall.
COMING UP THURSDAY NIGHT
The council will consider several Unified Code of Ordinance text amendments on Thursday night, including changes to allow the installation of EV charging stations, as well as new language regulating mobile food trucks, allowing certain structures in front setbacks, designating where sidewalks are required in new developments, and regulating feather flags.
The council will also consider either termination of the annexation agreement between Mooresville and Troutman or modification to add two parcels, with a possible third added after study, to the agreement. An annexation boundary agreement Statesville will also be considered.
Approval of a budget amendment to purchase three Dodge Chargers to replace three patrol vehicles with over 150,000 miles each is also on the agenda.
Other items to be considered include:
♦ Approval to amend the town’s water and sewer policy and to amend some town fees relating to water and sewer.
♦ Approval of an Economic Development Agreement for CI 77 Troutman, LLC (previously known as Collette Project).
♦ Approval to amend the council’s “Remote Participation Policy for Meetings” to read that if a remote vote is the deciding one on an issue, the matter will be delayed until the next meeting.
♦ An annexation hearing request for 105 acres at 726 South Main Street on April 13.
♦ Recognition of Kimberly Sager as “Town of Troutman Employee of the Month.”
♦ J. Hoyt Hayes Memorial Troutman Library and Troutman Fire Department reports.
With the amount of traffic tickets issued in Troutman, money should never be an issue.
The town gets ZERO dollars from traffic tickets. Learn the law before commenting.
I didn’t know this! Would you educate your citizens, or at least me, as to what happens to the money. I think this is a common misconception and would appreciate your information on the process. The doggies will appreciate no fireworks!?
Spoken like a true gentleman.
Excellent idea. Too many towns overwork their employees at these events with no compensation. These big events are a burden on the workforce.
It is just too hot, and it is a lot of work. Sheesh!
That is so ridiculous!! Not happy!
I’d rather see the parade & events canceled but still have the fireworks.
So glad the parade stays!
The fireworks show has always been good, but that is a lot of money for such a short show. I like the decision. Maybe consider a chili competition or a BBQ competition to raise money for a local cause. Then we would have an event for the day to take the place of fireworks. We could have local bands play throughout the event. Just a thought.