HAMLET —Multiple service agreements the main agenda items discussed at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
After the invocation from the Rev. Buch Farrah of First Baptist Church in Hamlet, and approval of the consent agenda, residents Stefan Long and Mary McLaurin addressed the board.
Long’s concerns were over receiving multiple water bills and expressed concern for other residents who may have encountered the same issue.
“There was an issue with the delivering of water bills,” said Mayor Bill Bayless. “I received two bills myself. I believe that over 400 citizens received multiple bills. The problem has been solved. I’m just happy they caught it.”
McLaurin’s concerns were regarding drainage and upkeep of a parking lot adjacent to her home on Bridges Street.
“The ditches are not being properly cleaned and drained and it’s running into my property,” she said.
Bayless assured McLaurin that the city would be out the following day to survey the situation.
McLaurin also expressed concerns about the South Hamlet Park receiving new equipment and this possibly causing some issues with criminality in the area.
“I am happy to see that you have put up cameras and that this will certainly help end the vandalism that has occurred in the past,” she said.
Bayless told McLaurin that should she see anything questionable occurring, to report it and the situation would be handled.
The board then approved two master services agreements regarding on-call services and advanced metering technology.
“The master service agreement with WithersRavenel is an umbrella agreement that covers task orders and projects,” said City Manager Matthew Christian. “It gives an overarching agreement in conjunction with the Mini Brooks Act.”
Christian said that metering technology through MeterSYS will hold a twofold premise.
“The members of MeterSys were unable to attend tonight but the options they are looking into are their installation of a proposed 1500 meters and/or recommended assessment of the city’s needs,” said Christian. “They would like to do an audit of the meter system and then after collecting the data, possibly put the two options together.”
Christian said that he would invite the staff of MeterSys to the next board meeting on Sept. 12.
Both agreements were unanimously approved 5-0 with Councilman Maurice Stuart absent from the meeting.
The council went into closed session to discuss personnel matters prior to adjourning.
