Last day to register for the Town of Troutman MLK Breakfast is Wednesday, January 7.
BY DEBBIE PAGE
Troutman Town Council members on Monday continued their discussion of residents’ dissatisfaction with developers completing roads and sidewalks and encroaching on agreed-upon buffers between new and existing neighborhoods.
Council member Eddie Nau wants council members to consult with the town attorney to determine what action the town can take to resolve the situations that do not follow the conditions outlined for these developments.
Neighbors on Winter Flake Drive came to the council in November and December to register complaints that the Wakefield developers had encroached on the agreed-upon 100-foot buffer between their properties and the new development.
Residents of the Weathers Creek and Sanders Ridge subdivisions complained about unfinished roads, sidewalks, and amenities.
TALLEY STREET SIDEWALK UPDATE
Council member Felina Harris asked for updates on the Talley Street sidewalk project, which has lingered since 2017. Town Planner Andrew Ventresca said that the town has received the preliminary surveyor response about needed easements and right-of-ways. About 40 property owners will be impacted.
Ventresca also reported that Duke Energy also needs to secure right-of-way for the relocation of approximately 12 power poles and other equipment for the project.
Ventresca said an optimistic goals for this year would be to acquire the needed right-of-ways and get bids out for construction to hopefully begin in 2027.
MLK BREAKFAST AND SERVICE PROJECT
The last day to register for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast and community service project is on Wednesday, January 7. Email award@troutmannc.gov or call 704-508-3012 to RSVP.
The event will be held at the Career Academy and Technical School (CATS) community room (350 Old Murdock Road) on Friday, January 16, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Attendees are advised to be there by 8:15 a.m. for this free event.
The speaker will be Eric Todd Scott, president of the Statesville Branch NAACP. Inspirational music will be performed by the South Iredell High School Black History Club Choir.
Scott has been president of the NAACP Statesville Branch since April 2019. He served as a member and chair of the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee for a number of years.
He has been instrumental in getting the United Auto Workers Union in Daimler Trucking Company, where he worked for many years. He became a member and spokesman for the United Auto Workers (UAW), and served on the UAW executive board local 3520. He is most proud of getting the new Statesville Fire Station named after former NAACP President Mr. Woody Woodard.
Scott served in the the 101st Airborne Division and was awarded numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, during the Gulf War.
Scott is a Christian and attends Highland Acres Church of Christ. He is married to Marlene Scott, and the couple has two children, Eric Jr. and Hannah Smith.
LIAT BUILDING
Town Manager Justin Longino reported that the town has received a verbal offer for the Liat building that is below the asking price. Mayor Teross Young suggested the council discuss this offer with the town attorney in closed session.
SANDERS RIDGE PUMP STATION
The Sanders Ridge pump station was built on HOA property, and the HOA has been mistakenly paying the electric bills for the station since since December 2022. The HOA has requested reimbursement, which will require a budget amendment.
Longino said that the town will seek easements for the pump station on the property as well.
The property will eventually be deeded back to the HOA when the Sanders Ridge station is replaced by a new pump station planned at Shinn Creek.
THURSDAY NIGHT AGENDA ITEMS
On Thursday night the council will consider:
♦ An amendment to correct some language in the Open Burning Ordinance and permit.
♦ An amendment to the 2025-2026 Budget increasing the Parks and Recreation recreational supplies line item with an anticipated increase in adult and youth athletic registration fees, increasing the maintenance and repair of vehicle line item for the Police Department with insurance proceeds from a vehicle accident, and increasing the maintenance and repair of equipment line item for the Public Works Department with insurance proceeds from an accident.
♦ Adoption of the Proposed FY 2027 Budget planning calendar.
♦ Staggering the ABC Board expiration terms to ensure continuity.
♦ Engineering contracts for Kimley Horn Phase 1 and Phase 2.
♦ Awarding sewer expansion contracts for the Town of Troutman Eastern Wastewater Transmission Project.
Facade approval for Mavis Tire (186 Home Improvement Street).
♦ Appointment of Steve Cash (term expires 12/31/29) and and reappointment of Kim Cavin (term expires 12/31/28) to the ABC Board.
♦ Appointment Richard Parsons to fill the unexpired term of George Harris (term expires 11/12/27) and reappointment of Karen Van Vliet (term expires 1/12/29) to the Design Review Board.
♦ Appointment of Michael Adney to the Planning and Zoning Board as an Inside Voting Member to fill the unexpired term of Tonya Bartlett (term expires 5/15/27).
♦ Appointment of Linda Bishop as Inside Alternate to fill the unexpired term of Michael Adney (term expires 9/14/26).
Recognitions and Presentations
♦ Recognition of W. Paul Henkel for years of dedicated service to the Town of Troutman.
♦ Presentation of the 2024-2025 Town of Troutman Audit by Alan Thompson, CPA from Thomson, Price, Scott & Adams Co.