BY DEBBIE PAGE
Musco lighting representative Dina Neeley presented a proposal for lighting for ESC Park to Troutman Town Council during Monday’s agenda briefing.
The 40 year-old company has over 1.3 million fixtures on 6,000 plus projects worldwide currently under warranty. The company has lit over 800 projects in North Carolina, including the Wake Forest University football stadium, PNC Arena in Raleigh, and Wilkesboro Speedway.
Neeley said Musco’s products produce no glare, and through careful positioning, the company can eliminate dark areas on field to provide smooth, quality light without wasted energy.
The proposed ESC Park package includes the softball, volleyball, pickleball, basketball, and soccer fields plus the existing parking lot and expansion of another 37 parking spaces. After discussion, council decided to add to two 60-foot light poles to the left of the dog park entrance and to the right of the dog park area and to add lighting behind the pavilion to better light the splash pad and playground areas.
The park’s lighting system, divided into zones, would be monitored by Musco 24/7 to detect any malfunctions or problems. The control center also operates the lights as programmed by a parks and recreation administrator, using a phone or laptop, or as necessary in the moment for rain delays, cancellations, or other needs.
The light packages come with a 25-year warranty for everything from the concrete bases, the poles, and all the lighting fixtures and accompanying infrastructure. The company also ensures that all lighting is kept inside the property lines of the field or facility to avoid disturbing nearby residents.
Neeley said they bend the light for optimal use so that all can see well on the field or in the stands. Color changing and “show” lighting options are also available.
Neely said that if the council chooses to purchase one of Musco’s packages, the installation process, from manufacturing the custom fixtures to working on permitting to installation, normally takes around 14 weeks, weather permitting.
Musco puts in five times the amount of surge protection than any other competitor to protect its products from lightning strikes and surge damage, according to Neely.
All prices Neeley quoted include setting up the electrical service to serve the entire park’s electrical and lighting needs so lighting is ready to expand as the park does.
The company offers lower prices for existing customers who expand their systems.
Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson said that Duke Energy had upgraded the park’s electrical capability to be sufficient for this project. Neeley said that the Musco will likely expand electrical service on the park’s left side during installation.
Neeley will update the plan with the additional light poles and get a revised plan and proposed contract in to Watson for council consideration.
WASTEWATER SYSTEM ASSESSMENT PRESENTATION
Benjy Thomas presented Troutman’s recently completed Wastewater System Assessment Inventory and reports on the completed Wastewater AIA Project and the Clay Pipe Sewer Inventory.
The assessment created an inventory database of assets, including an accurate GPS mapping of the town’s sewer system. During the assessment, experts conducted field inspections to identify defects, did condition assessments (rating each from poor to satisfactory), and developed a plan to reduce rainwater infiltration and inflow to determine needed asset improvements (either rehabilitations, repair, replacement).
During pipe testing, if the technicians see smoke come out of ground, they know water can get in the sewer system, so they identified the pipe as needing repair, Thomas said.
During the AIA project, 673 manhole inspections and smoke testing were conducted. Pump stations were also inspected. The team did evaluations condition assessments and ratings to help the council prioritize projects. They also made asset improvement recommendations and cost estimates during all completed inspections.
The town’s collection system map was updated and a GIS – based sewer map was developed. The project also resulted in the creation of an asset management plan, which included assigning a condition assessment rated for every wastewater collection system asset.
During the clay pipe project, teams inspected and cleaned over 58,000 feet of 6-inch to 12-inch gravity pipes, 86 percent of which are clay. They also conducted CCTV video reviews, condition assessments, and ratings for prioritization or improvement recommendations, whether rehabilitation, repair, or replacement as well as cost estimates for each.
They also updated the town’s collection system map and located a few buried manholes. They updated the asset management plan with the results and recommendations and created a 10-year improvement plan for sustaining the wastewater system, including future ready asset improvement projects for any grant opportunities that may arise.
As a result of these projects, manhole and pipe improvements are set to begin soon at a total project cost of $2,935,113. A state grant will cover $1,655,000, with the remaining $1,280,113 coming from a low interest loan (1.68% interest).
The improvement project consists of two parts. The first is 8-inch sewer pipe rehabilitation with installation of approximately 25,308 linear cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), which involves pulling repair material through the pipe and applying steam to create a new pipe liner within the clay pipe. Thomas said the CIPP repair produces a product that should last 100 years.
The second part of the project includes various sewer system improvements, including replacing 732 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer, 31 pipe repairs of varying links, 45 tap replacements, 253 manhole improvements, and a number of repairs indicated through smoke testing.
Future improvements have also been identified for sustaining the wastewater system over the next 10 years.
Thomas said the new sewer system inventory database includes photos, video, age, location, and condition of system assets. These project reports and inventory were the culmination of several years of work.
PLANNING BOARD APPLICANT INTERVIEW
During Monday’s meeting, the council also interviewed Michael Adney, an applicant for an inside alternate Planning and Zoning position. The Minnesota native moved to North Carolina three years ago for his work with Billy Graham Ministries.
He had a prior 33-year engineering career, working on over 700 private and government projects from city and county to state levels.
COUNCIL ELECTION INFORMATION
Council members reminded residents of November 4 election and opportunities for early and mail-in voting.
IDs/Registration
Voters must show an acceptable photo ID when they check in at their voting site during early voting or on Election Day.
Any time a person moves, they are required by N.C. law to update their address.
The deadline to register is 25 days before Election Day. Registration forms are available at www.iredellcountync.gov/162/Elections.
To request an absentee ballot, go to https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home.
Early Voting
In person early voting for the county’s municipal elections begins Thursday, October 16, at 8:00 a.m. and ends Saturday, November 1, at 3:00 p.m. The two locations for early voting are:
♦ Iredell County Board of Elections, 203 Stockton Street, Statesville; and
♦ War Memorial, 220 N Maple Street, Mooresville
Election Day Voting
On November 4, Troutman voters unsure of their precinct location can use this link (https://vt.ncsbe.gov/PPLkup/) to check.
The Fallstown precinct is at the Career Academy and Technical School (CATS) meeting room at 350 Old Murdock Road.
The Barringer precinct is at Wesley Chapel Church at 579 Weathers Creek Road.
WICKED FAST 5K
The 9th annual Wicked Fast 5 K is Saturday, October 11, at 6 p.m. at the Depot (137 South Main Street). Registration is $30.
This family-friendly 5K runs along the flat Richardson Greenway to Grannis Lane, turns around, and comes straight back for the 5K distance. Participants are encouraged to wear their best costumes and enjoy the fun Halloween spirit.
Race day registration starts at 4:30 p.m. Only those registered by September 26 are guaranteed a race T-shirt.
Packet pick-up is Friday, October 10, at Troutman Parks & Rec Office from 12 to 6 p.m. or on race day starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Depot.
All participants will be provided with a glow bracelet for visibility. A water station will be provided at the halfway marker. Restrooms will be provided at the start/finish line.
Awards will be presented to Overall Top Male & Female and Top 3 Male & Female in each age group (5-year increments starting at age 10).
Parking is available at the Wagner Street parking lot, Troutman Town Hall, or Troutman ESC Park.
The race runs rain or shine. Registration fees are non-refundable. Bib numbers must be worn by the registrant to whom they have been assigned and must be clearly visible. On the greenway, please stay to the right at all times.
For more information, contact Amber Ward at award@troutmannc.gov or call 704-508-3012.
TRAILS AND TREATS
The annual Trails and Treats at ESC Park will be on Halloween Day, Friday, October 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. This spooktacular event is presented by House Doctors of Mooresville and Kids Lift.
This safe, family-friendly event is the perfect place for trick-or-treating fun dressed in your best costume.
Organizations who wish to set up a table to distribute treats should contact Amber Ward at award@troutmannc.gov or call 704-508-3012.
COMMUNITY GIVE-BACK OPPORTUNITY
The Parks and Recreation staff are collecting non-perishable food items to help restock the Town Hall Blessing Box to make this a fall season of giving. Those interested can drop donations off anytime during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Parks & Rec office at 334 North Ave, Troutman.
For more info, visit www.troutmannc.gov.
THURSDAY NIGHT AGENDA
During Thursday’s meeting, rhe Troutman Council is scheduled to consider:
♦ An ordinance amending Troutman’s Code Of Ordinances concerning weapons prohibited on town property.
♦ A request to annex and rezone 20.67 acres located on Charlotte Highway, south of the southern entrance of Flower House Loop.
♦ Amending the Town of Troutman Code of Ordinances allowing nonprofits to display a 3 foot by 5 foot sign at the event location and two banners at Town of Troutman display areas for 30 days, first come, first served.
♦ Approval of a resolution adopting Troutman’s Wastewater Asset Management Plan.
♦ Approval of a resolution verifying receipt of the Wastewater AIA Project (E-AIA-W-21-0226) final report.
♦ Approval of a resolution verifying receipt of the 2022 Clay Pipe Sewer System Project final report.
♦ Approval of Phase 2-Water Capacity Improvements.
♦ Approval to amend the town’s personnel policy to require any employee working with children to undergo a background check to comply with a new state law.
♦ Approval to rezone 0.56 acres located at 508 South Main Street from suburban residential to local commercial.
♦ Approval of an amendment to the Troutman Schedule of Fees to add basketball and pickleball rental fees.
♦ Approval of budget amendments for incoming revenue to the Police Department from insurance revenues to maintain and repair of vehicles, to the Parks and Recreation Department from increasing funds to purchase recreational supplies, and to the Public Works Department from insurance proceeds from fire damage and tractor claims.
♦ Consider appointment of Michael Adney to the Planning and Zoning Board as an inside alternate member.
♦ Approval of a resolution to awarding a service firearm to a retiring Troutman police officer.
♦ Set an annexation hearing date for 1.24 acres at 491 Perry Road for November 13.