BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Troutman Town Council heard a proposal from Musco, a sports and large area lighting and facility solutions provider, to light ESC Park during the pre-agenda meeting on Monday.

Sales representative Dina Neeley presented several options for members to consider:

♦ One option was to light only the two ball fields with the latest LED technology at a cost of $750,000, with options to pay over a 5-, 7-, or 10-year period.

♦A second option was to light the ballfields, volleyball court, basketball court, pickleball courts, and soccer fields at a cost of $1,359,000, with payment options ranging from 5 to 7 years.

♦A third option added the playground and upper parking area at a cost of $1,395,000. To light all those areas and add additional lighting at the entrance, lower parking lot, dog park, and future amphitheater area indicated in the park’s masterplan, Neeley said the cost would be $1,575,000.

The proposed systems would be monitored by Musco 24/7 to detect any malfunctions or problems and also to turn the lights on and off as programmed by the town’s parks and recreation administrator or as necessary in the moment for rain delays, cancellations, or other needs.

The packages come with a 25-year warranty for everything from the concrete pole base, 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 being lit to avoid disturbing nearby neighbors.

Neely said that if the council chooses to purchase one of Musco’s packages, the installation process, from manufacturing the custom fixtures and working on permitting to installation takes from 12 to 14 weeks, weather permitting.

In their discussion after the presentation, council members indicated they wanted to pursue lighting the entire park because the cost will only increase in the future and that installation in phases, calling the company out several times to install each, would only add to the total cost of lighting the entire park.

The council has been setting aside money for the last several years toward lighting the park. Interim Town Manager and Finance Director Justin Mundy could not recall the exact amount but would inform council after consulting the fund.

Council members also noted the need for lighting in the dog park sidewalk area that was not included in the current lighting design plan as well as the addition of “dancing lights” in the current temporary stage/ future amphitheater area.

Neeley will add the additional lighting requested to the design plan and come back to the council members with the new cost. Council members will continue consideration of this project in the coming months.

PROPOSED SECURITY MEASURES

Council also discussed safety and security measures that they and Chief of Police Joshua Watson want to put in place for town facilities. Watson noted that state law allows municipalities to create their own gun-related ordinances for their facilities.

Chief Watson noted that the town cannot ban those with concealed carry permits in parks or greenways under state law, but the council does need to consider creating an ordinance to regulate carrying a firearm in all town facilities.

Some municipalities utilize metal detectors, but Watson that they cost about $2,000 to $,5000 each. Police officers also cannot be used to oversee metal detectors because such actions would be a violation of the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches by law enforcement, necessitating private security cost as well.

Watson acknowledged that political violence is increasing in the United States. However, the Town Hall cannot be a fortress because the public must have access to public meetings. He pledged that he and his officers would protect those who come to the town buildings to the best of their ability.

Council members also noted when speaking about crafting an ordinance that staff members and elected officials with concealed carry permits could be exempted from this ordinance, as well as retired law enforcement officials under Homeland Security regulations.

Watson said that if the threat environment changes, he and his officers can step up their vigilance even further.

Mayor Teross Young also asked staff and elected officials to notify the chief in the moment if a threat occurs rather than waiting days or weeks later to report it.

PARKERTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mundy also updated council members on talks with Iredell-Statesville Schools to extend water and sewer service to the new Parkertown Elementary School scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.

Engineer Benji Thomas told the council that he does not see this deadline as a problem because already funded water and sewer extensions from Westmoreland Road to Parkertown Road are projected to begin in early 2026 and to be completed by early 2027.

The school system would be responsible for paying for 4,400 feet of water and sewer lines, at an estimated cost of $1 million, to run down Parkertown Road to the new I-SS school. Thomas said that most of the vacant land is on the left side of Parkertown Road, which is the Mooresville annexation boundary, with Troutman controlling the right side of the road.

Council members noted the cost of running duplicate water and sewer on both sides of Parkertown Road and proposed talking with the Mooresville Town Board of Commissioners about a possible amendment to the Mooresville/Troutman boundary annexation agreement, which is up for consideration on Thursday night, to allow Troutman to control both sides of Parkertown Road to avoid duplicating services.

Council members also requested that Mundy get a written agreement with I-SS that Troutman will be providing water and sewer to the school after broken promises of Troutman providing water and sewer service to the new Weathers Creek High School.

UPCOMING THURSDAY NIGHT

On Thursday night the council will consider:

♦ A Text Amendment TA-25-04 for Temporary Uses and a request to amend Section 4.35-Temporary Uses and 13.3 Definition of Specialized Terms regulating produce stands.

♦ An annexation agreement between the Town Of Troutman and the Town of Mooresville.

♦ Approval of “Resolution Authorizing Interim Town Manager To Execute A Contract With Kimley-Horn To Proceed With The Design And Engineering Of The North Main Street/Old Mountain Road/Murdock Road Intersection Improvement.”

♦ Approval of “A Resolution In Support of State Safety Funds To Improve The Pedestrian Crossing At South Main Street and Rumple Street.”

♦ A request from South Iredell High School for road closure for a Homecoming Parade.

♦ Approval of a Regional Pump Station Cost-Sharing Agreement between the Town of Troutman and BCDG-Shinn Farms.

♦ Approval of engineering contracts for new water projects:

1. Water Capacity Improvements – Phase 1 (SRP-D-134-0273)
2. Water Capacity Improvements – Phase 2 (SRP-D-134-0274)
3. Water System Rehabilitation – Phase 1 (SRP-D-134-0275)
4. Murdock Rd Water Extension (SRP-D-134-0276)

♦ Approval of a “Resolution To Call For Completion and/or Performance Bonds For Completion of Infrastructure Of Sanders Ridge.”

♦ Non-contiguous annexation request from Makarios Holdings for 3.68 acres located on Goodman Road. Developers plan to subdivide the parcel into four lots.

♦ Consider a non-contiguous annexation request by Dixieland Inc. of .34 acres located at 126 Meadowfall Lane.

♦ Consider reappointment of Darryl Hall as inside voting member to the Town of Troutman Planning and Zoning Board for a 3-year Term.

♦ Consider reappointment of Paul Rooney as inside voting member to the Town of Troutman Planning and Zoning Board for a 3-year Term.

♦ Consider reappointment of Michelle Peck as inside voting member to the Town of Troutman Board of Adjustment for a 3-year Term.

♦ Consider Appointment of Antonio Robinson as inside alternate member to the Town of Troutman Board of Adjustment for a 3-year Term.

Recognitions/Presentations

♦ Recognition of Terrence Smyre as the Town of Troutman Employee of the Month for July 2025.

♦ Proclamation of April 25, 2026, as Parental Alienation Awareness Day.

♦ ABC Store Quarterly Report by General Manager Evelyn Coleman.