November 18, 2008

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council held on November 18th due to the Veterans’ Day Holiday falling on the scheduled date was called to order by Mayor Douglas R. Pond at 7:30 p.m.

 

Roll was called with the following present:  Mayor Douglas R. Pond; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Harry S. Holman, Vanessa Y. Jones, Scott E. Martin and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager C. J. Dean; Acting Chief of Police B. N. Newcomb; Administrative Assistant Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.  Also in attendance, Mrs. Douglas R. Pond and Mrs. B. N. Newcomb.

 

Absent:  Council member: Robert F. Pecht, III.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, suspend the reading and file.  This was seconded by Mrs. Jones and carried by all ayes.

 

MAYOR’S REMARKS

Mayor Pond stated that he would like to express a depth of gratitude to former Mayor Keith W. Clarke for his service of over 30 years to the Town of Lawrenceville.  He stated that he personally thanked Mr. Clarke for being understanding, slow to anger and easy to work with.  This made it easier to do our jobs with the town.

 

Mayor Pond stated that he intends to be a working Mayor and a copy of his report was in the packets.  He hopes to change the way citizens feel about the town and get more citizens on board to help move the town forward.  Mayor Pond thanked Council for employing him for 33 years as a police officer, Chief of Police and as Town Manager.  He appreciated the faith Council had in him in appointing him Mayor.

 

TOWN MANAGER REPORT

Mr. Dean reminded Council that HLRA would be meeting on December 4, 2008 at the town office and asked that all members attend.

 

Mr. Dean reported that bids for the generator to replace the undersized one at the wastewater plant had been received and the low bid was from Master Electrical Service, LLC.  Mr. Dean stated that he would meet with the water/wastewater committee before the December meeting.

 

Information was in the packets concerning a small business owners workshop to be held at SVCC on November 25th from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Mr. Dean stated that anyone interested in attending would need to register by November 21.

 

Mr. Dean stated that the town office would be closing at noon on Wednesday, November 26 and be closed all day Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.

 

An informational flyer was in the packets from the radio station with their hours and cost for advertising.

 

Information concerning a conference for municipal officers was in the packets.  The conference will be held on January 9 – 10, 2009 and is open to all council members.  Mr. Dean asked that anyone interested contact him or Mrs. Talbert as the deadline for registration is December 19.

 

Mr. Dean reported that a letter from the Department of Health was in the packets concerning lead and copper rule short-term revisions.

 

Mr. Dean stated that the audit hopefully would be available for approval at the December meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF OFFICERS FOR FIRE DEPT

Mr. Holman stated that the slate of officers for the fire department for 2009 was in the packet.  A motion was made by Mr. Martin to approve the Slate of Officers for 2009 as presented.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.  The Slate of officers are: Chief, Bryant Rifkind; Deputy Chief, Robert Peebles; Assistant Chief, Josh Griffin; Captain, Brad Morefield; Lieutenant Fire, Kevin Pair; Lieutenant EMS, Jeff Richardson; President, James Wesson; Vice President, Shannon Rifkind; Treasurer, Chad Whitlow; Secretary, Griffin Alexanders. 

 

ACTING CHIEF RECOGNIZED

Mayor Pond recognized Assistant Chief B. N. Newcomb and his wife Tammy.  Mayor Pond stated that Newcomb would be Acting Chief until a new Chief is hired.  Mayor Pond presented Acting Chief Newcomb with a badge and stated that they had worked together for 25 years. It was reported that the position for Chief of Police is being advertised in the paper and on VML website.  Mayor Pond stated that the police committee hopes to be able to recommend someone for the position of Chief at the January meeting.

 

COMMITTEES TO LOOK AT CODE

Mrs. Sanderson asked that the Town Development Committee and the Planning Commission look at the code allowing residential use above businesses in town. At present only the owner of the business or his manager can live above the business.  Mrs. Sanderson had received a request that the ordinance be changed to allow residential use other than owner or manager.

 

NEW BUSINESSES SINCE JULY

Mayor Pond reported that we have three new businesses since July; Divine Transformation at 227 N. Main St.; H. & M Auto at 306 Cattail Road; and Tiger Express at 137 W. Hicks Street.  Four new construction sites are ongoing since July.  Express Car Wash on Cattail Road, the new Dollar General Store on S. Hicks, the wireless tower going up next to the old firehouse and the update and improvement at the Old Fire House on Sharpe Street.

 

LETTER ON SAINT PAUL’S ACTIVITIES

Mayor Pond stated that Council had in their packets copies of a two-page letter from Sheriff Roberts concerning negative activities going on at Saint Paul’s College.  Mayor Pond stated that another meeting will be held on December 2, 2008 at 6 p.m. at Saint Paul’s and invited the College/Community Liaison Committee to attend the meeting.

 

CHRISTMAS PARADE AND BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Mrs. Talbert reminded members of the Christmas Parade to be held on December 5th at 7:00 p.m. and breakfast with Santa will be on December 6th from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $83,872.93 and charge to the proper funds.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION

Mrs. Talbert read a resolution of appreciation for Chief Pond for his service to the Town as police officer, Chief and Town Manager over the past 33 plus years.  A copy of the Resolution will be spread upon the minutes of the November 18th meeting.  Mayor Pond stated that November 14th was an emotional day as it was the end of his career in law enforcement but he had so many memories and he hoped to continue guiding the town in his new role as Mayor.

 

LUNCHEON TO HONOR PAST MAYOR CLARKE

Mr. Brockwell reported that planning has been underway to schedule a date to honor our past mayor, Keith W. Clarke.  Mr. Brockwell stated that December 17th at noon the annual Christmas luncheon will be held and all council members are invited to attend to honor former Mayor Clarke at this time.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being on further business to come before Council, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Martin.  This carried by all ayes.

 

 

 

 

DOUGLAS R POND, MAYOR

 

 

 

ALICE B TALBERT, CLERK