HAMLET – After the Call to Order by Mayor Bill Bayless, a moment of silence was observed in recognition of the events of 9/11.
Councilman Jonathan Buie then spent several minutes highlighting the talents of Hamlet native Nic Wilkes. Nic is a 2017 graduate of Richmond Senior High School and has for several years made many contributions in Hamlet and Rockingham with his decorating skills.
His most recent project was making the stage props for the Dancing with the Star fundraiser for Richmond County Hospice which was held on September 8 in the Cole Auditorium. Nic made the castle that was the main stage prop, out of Styrofoam and it stood almost to the ceiling.
He has also done some decorating work for other service organizations including the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and the Hamlet Business Development Association. According to Mayor Bayless, Nic’s efforts bring more people in to the City of Hamlet.
Next for Comments from Attendees, Bob Ellwanger, with the Hamlet Depot Museum, reported on a project that the board has been working on since 2015: the acquisition of a Silver Meteor train. While 75 Meteor sets have been made, theirs will be the only one housed in a museum setting. The train will be displayed in the Tornado Building on Main Street with attractive lighting, passengers and custom mill-work.
The train itself is designed to pay tribute to the 1930’s art deco period.
The budget the Depot Board has will be $1,500 short for the train and its accoutrements and then $900 for 3 additional cars. They were asking the Council for the $1,500, which was granted after Buie noted another project is under budget and suggested funds be reallocated to the Depot Board project. The Council voted to give them the whole $2,400.
There were 3 zoning matters brought before the Council tonight. The first was a modification to the zoning of the campus of RichmondCC which would bring it more in line with surrounding parcels. The second was a zoning change to a 6.21 acre parcel near the public works department at the corner of Oakhurst and Spears Streets. The zoning was changed from I-1 to I-2 to allow a cell tower to be erected on the land. Third was a change to the tower ordinance that aligns Hamlet’s with other municipality’s ordinances.
Three applications were approved for the vacancies on the Hamlet Planning and Zoning Board.
An update on Jack Breeden Park was then given. The resurfacing of the basketball court should be completed within the next 30 days. Estimates have been well under budget for the resurfacing and additional enhancements were discussed such as adding fencing to keep cars from parking on the court in an effort to minimize damage to the new surface.
Additional features such as lighting, new goals and, if there is enough left in the budget, a covered area for 2 picnic tables are also possibilities for the south Hamlet park.
City Manager’s Report: Jonathan Blanton recognized Director of Public Works, Billy Stubbs, for his 30 years of service to the City of Hamlet. Billy is “willing to take on any project” and “I thank him for his longevity” with the City.
Jonathan also congratulated the ABC Board for its annual report which showed $53,000 in revenue, which he stated is an increase over last year’s report.
A meeting was held with the fire department, police department and public works to outline measures that need to be in place to be ready for Hurricane Florence that is predicted to be upon North Carolina in a day or so. Jonathan said we “plan for the worst but hope for the best.”
Mayor Bayless noted Richmond County will declare a state of emergency Wednesday at noon and the City of Hamlet is following suit. This will allow Hamlet to recoup any funds that are spent coping with the hurricane.
The Hamlet City Council meets at 7:00 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Hamlet City Hall.
