HAMLET — The Hamlet City Council conducted a special session at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13th, at the Administrative Office Building on Main Street. The unusual convening was designed to allow council members sufficient time to focus due attention on some particular budget items.
Following the protocol of a “regular” Council meeting, the special session had been properly announced and duly advertised as open to the public. The hour-long meeting entailed discussion of a few administrative nuances, status of miscellaneous properties held by (or offered to) the city, and a total of ten supplemental budgetary issues.
After being called to order by Mayor Bill Bayless, the meeting commenced with a formal motion and subsequent vote to approve Gail Strickland as the newly-appointed city clerk. A brief discussion regarding the timing of the administration of the oath of office resulted in a decision to delay that ceremony until the evening session.
Budgetary items were then reviewed in detail and due analysis applied to each.
The Council was apprised by City Manager Jonathan Blanton and Finance Director Jill Dickens of the City’s midyear financial status. Finding it to be in good order and noting the “good budget practices” of the administrative staff, Mayor Bayless entertained a motion and subsequent vote to approve the report as provided.
Background checks for Parks and Recreation coaches were discussed. While no such reviews are currently required, Councilman Jonathan Buie expressed some concern in that regard, noting that the safety of children is paramount. It was estimated that each background review would cost the City $32 and, even if limited to head coaches only, could possibly constitute a relatively significant budget item. After agreeing in principle that only one security check per coach would be necessary (as opposed to a new one being conducted each time that coach returned for a new season), the Council decided to table the discussion for now.
Discussion then moved to the design of new entrance signs to Hamlet. Mayor Bayless requested that more research be conducted in regard to the design options (and concurrent costs) to be considered by the Council.
The operating hours of the City’s “Depot & Museums” were reviewed. Councilman Jesse McQueen inquired as to the basis for the current practice of being “closed” but still open to accommodating appointments on Mondays. Responses alluded to the fact that only volunteers are used to operate the museum and that time is sometimes required to perform maintenance, adjust displays, etc. No immediate changes were determined to be necessary at this time.
The continual upkeep of Mary Love Cemetery was addressed. The option of contracting with a private entity was raised as an alternative to the current usage of two city employees and a horticulture crew to maintain the grounds. Vandalism in general and the toppling of gravestones in particular were cited as recurring problems. Although the repair and/or return of a marker to its original condition is technically the responsibility of the plot owners, the City employees sometimes take it upon themselves to “make things right” without bothering the family members. The Council determined it best to explore the option of contracting with a private business to provide definitive maintenance services at the City-owned cemetery.
It was decided that Hamlet would pursue recognition as a “Purple Heart” city and duly recognize any such recipient who was either from Hamlet or currently resides here. A designation as a Purple Heart City is awarded by the Purple Heart Foundation, a national veterans’ service organization comprised of Purple Heart medal recipients.
Discussion then focused upon an offer from the Women’s Club for the City to assume ownership (and thus responsibility) of the “triangle” property at the intersections of McDonald Avenue, Entwistle Street and Marlboro/177. It was decided that more consideration must be given to this proposal before a vote would be taken.
Other miscellaneous items with possible budgetary implications were then addressed. The dock at City Lake is in need of repair, as are some of the city-owned basketball courts. Also, an original support column from the Hamlet Hospital portico is in the possession of the City and may need to be properly transferred to another location and/or owner.
