TOWN OF MAXTON, NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING  September 19, 2023, 7:00 p.m.  Minutes  The Board of Commissioners ofMaxton, North Carolina met in formal session in the meeting chambers oft the Town ofl Maxton Town Hall located at 201 McCaskill Avenue Maxton, North Attendees: Mayor Paul Davis (absent), Mayor Pro Tem Virgil Hutchinson, Commissioner Toni Bethea, Commissioner Elizabeth Gilmore, Commissioner Paul McDowell, and Commissioner Staff Present: Town Manager Angela Pitchford, Town Attorney Timothy Snead, Town Clerk Michael Cousar, Finance Ursula Goins, Police ChiefJohnson, Accounts Payable. Jasmin Mason, Public Works Director Preston McKenzie, and Water and Wastewater Director Dennis Freeman.  Carolina at 7:00 p.m.  Victor Womack (absent).  Call to Order- Mayor Paul G. Davis Invocation- Mayor Pro Tem Virgil Hutchinson  Does any member have any known conflict ofinterest and appearances of conflict with respect to any matter coming before the board today? Ifso, please identify the conflict and Mayor Pro Tem Virgil Hutchinson recused himself from New Business item a) Maxton Housing  refrain from any participation in the particular matterinvolved.  Authority Board Application. Approval of Consent Agenda:  a) Minutes from Special Meeting of August 2, 2023 b) Minutes from Board Meeting of August 22, 2023  Mayor Davis request a motion to approve Consent Agenda. Commissioner McDowell made the motion, and it was seconded by Commissioner Womack. The vote was unanimous, and the  motion carried.  Adoption of Proposed Agenda: was unanimous and the motion carried.  Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson request a motion to approve Proposed Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson made the motion, the motion was seconded by Commissioner McDowell. The vote  Old Business: a) None    New Business:  a) Maxton Housing Authority Board Application - Bert Hutchinson  Mayor Davis asked Mrs. Bert Hutchinson to stand and acknowledged her for her service to the Maxton Housing Board. The Honorable Mayor Davis reappointed Mrs. Bert Hutchinson to the PUBLIC FORUM (2 MINUTES ONLY) NOTE: Please state your full legal name, address, and phone number the board & staff will not respond to individual comments or questions during Ms. Aggie Deese, 106 Smith Street, Maxton, 910-844-9946. Ms. Deese spoke about the Mrs. Diane Dixon, 402 North Patterson Street, Maxton, NC, 910-844-5400. Mrs. Dixon spoke about Maxton celebrating yet another milestone, its Sesquicentennial. She said there is much to be done in preparation for the Sesquicentennial and that she hope the Town's leadership will step Mrs. Mary McNeill, 407 West Central Street, Maxton, NC, 910-844-5376. Mrs. McNeill asked the Town to consider paving its road and sidewalks needing repair. She said it has been quite a few years since work has been done to Town roads and asked the Town to look into what can be Mr. Shelman Spencer, 504 South Florence Street, Maxton, NC, 910-920-8171. Mr. Spencer thanked the Commissioners for answering the concerns oft residents in its last couple ofs sessions. Mr. Spencer said there need to be more incentives for residents to pick up trash around Town. Mr. Emmitt Morton, 408 Lombard Street, Maxton, NC, 910-610-5847. Mr. Morton said the Town needs to establish a committee for the Sesquicentennial and open the time capsule. He also thanked Mrs. Jamie Smith and the Recreation Committee for the great job they did with the Back  Maxton Housing Board.  the public forum. The appropriate staffmember will follow up ifneeded. dilapidated home and how they affect her and the community.  up and meet the challenge ofj preparing and publishing the event.  done in this matter.  to School event and in passing out food to the community.  Mayor. Davis closed the Public Forum.  Reports: Recreation Report  Mrs. Jamie Smith spoke about past and present events the Recreation Committee has and plans toj put on. They're Back to School Bash served over four hundred (400) people in delivering school and hygiene supplies and hot meals. One oft the committee's partners came out and registered over one hundred residents who were without insurance or Medicaid. The Cancer Awareness Walk took place on September 16, 2023, at Beachum Park and a Memorial at Elizabeth Cole Park. On Saturday, September 23, 2023, the Senior Prom for adults 55 and older at the Renaissance building from six (6) to ten (10) p.m. The First Community Yard Sale will be  on Saturday, October 7, 2023.  2    Manager Report 2023.  Town Manager. Ms. Angela Pitchford introduced the Interim ChiefofPolice for the Town of Maxton Mr. Schirra Johnson from Fayetteville, North Carolina who was hired on 15 August,  Police Department Report  Interim ChiefJohnson spoke and said his focus is tol bring more support and assistance to the Town of Maxton by communicating with other local law enforcement agencies, work on new organizations to bring to Town, and will soon be making visits to local business owner to talk  about local needs. Commissioner's Report  Commissioner Gilmore talking on behalfo oft the Beautification Committee said there focus has on cleanups at Beachum Park and at the R.B. Dean School. She said that the R.B. Dean School area trash cans are being misused, the grass has not been cut, locks on gates have been broken, and playgrounds are: not secured. She has spoken with the Assistant Superintendent Bobby Locklear with the Robeson County education system about the upkeep of the property and hel has ensured better upkeep oft the property in the future. She also mention to the residents to not allow their  kids toj play in the area. Manager Report  Town Manager Ms. Angela Pitchford said the Town is still working on the funding for the new multiplex building to house the Town administrative department and the Police Department and the required permits for the Town's Air Burner. She mention this year that yearly tax information has been sent out in al letter format instead ofthe tax card to give tax payers more tax information and privacy and fort the residents to please give the Town their opinion on the change to see ifthe Town wanted to continue with the letter form. There has been a lot ofturnover with Public Work employees due toj pay and the number of required Police Officers in Town is down from what is required. She said that active recruitment for both departments is underway and then addressed Mayor Davis asked the Administrative staff to look into a solution sO that residents will not have to give their person information during the Public Forum which has been a concern for some  concerns she heard of about al lack of Manager reporting.  residents. ADJOURN motion carried.  Mayor Davis request a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Gilmore made the motion and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Virgil Hutchinson. The vote was unanimous and the  Pagbpems Paul Davis, Mayor  MR C Michael D. Cousar, MBA  3