HAMLET – The Hamlet City Council met on Tuesday, March 13th and addressed multiple issues of concern as voiced by various city residents.
Greg Shelley and Johnnie Butterfield spoke about drug activity on Terry St between Rollins and Hylan Ave. Apparently this has become an increasing problem in recent months and they were asking the Council to allocate more funding to equip the Hamlet Police Department with the resources they need to combat this issue.
Shelley’s mother-in- law and Butterfield’s mother are long-time residents on this stretch of Terry Street; the pair contended that it has changed drastically in the last 12 months to the point of now being a place where they are frightened in their own homes. According to Shelley, there are drug deals being negotiated in daylight hours and in clear view of neighbors.
Police Chief Scott Waters, who was in attendance at the Council meeting, stated his officers are “aggressively patrolling” the area, and City Manager Jonathan Blanton stated that the public can help through “communication” and “collaboration.” (with officials and law enforcement personnel).
Blanton further stated that citizens should “ let us know when you see suspicious activity.” He and the Council will “stay on top of it” and that “the safety of our citizens” is very important. Blanton further noted that the upcoming budget “will reflect the concerns” that are being expressed tonight.
The next speaker was Jane McCall who is on the “Friends of the Library Board”. She was requesting that the Board be allowed to erect a decorative fence to enhance the area where landscaping has been planted around the library in recent months.
The Council had no qualms in casting favorable votes regarding this request, contingent upon a survey being done to ensure the accurate location of adjacent lot lines and that a fence permit be acquired.
Third up in the comments portion of the meeting was Robin Hewitt, a master gardener, who presented her perspective on allowing backyard chickens in residential areas within the city limits. She cited numerous cities where this has been allowed in their zoning laws for years.
Weed and insect control, educational opportunities for children to learn where their food comes from, and “the best” compost coming from “chicken poop” were top reasons cited for backyard chickens.
The Council was very open to this idea and to further discussion on the “ins and outs” of what the regulations would need to be to make this a winner for everyone.
The final comments came from Bill Hall, a recent transplant to Hamlet from Baltimore, MD. He was requesting an adjustment in the speed limit on Main St and Hylan Avenue, specifically to be changed from the current 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. Hall cited many times when he has observed cars speeding through that area and included reports of children narrowly missing being hit by vehicles.
The Council stated that these are state DOT maintained roads, so the city can petition for the speed limit change, and has done so in the past, but without success. Mayor Bayless said it could be addressed again and that it may go through this time.
Mayor Bayless stated that the Seaboard Festival Board has undergone some recent changes in their membership and positioning of personnel. In attendance at the meeting tonight was Chuck Cobb, the new president of the Board.
Mayor Bayless asked Chuck if he had any information he wanted to pass along to the public. Chuck stated that more members for the Board are being sought so that this year’s festival is as successful as the previous years have been.
“The festival is always a tourism boon for the city of Hamlet, “ stated Cobb, so it’s important to keep it strong; that is his goal with this year’s festival. It will be held, as always, the last Saturday in October.
Items of new business before the Council included: The attorney for ESA Solar requested a continuance yesterday in their request for their Special Use zoning request; the motion was made for the approval to advertise delinquent taxes which amounts to $122,944.25; approval was granted for tax releases in the amount of $205.08; and that City Hall has bid packets for the demolition of 302 West Hamlet Avenue.
It was also announced that City Hall will be closed March 30th, Good Friday.
Editor’s note: Special thanks to Amy Guinn for contributing this article.
