TOWN OF MAXTON, NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING  August 22, 2023, 7:00 p.m.  Minutes  The Board ofCommissioners ofMaxton, North Carolina met in formal session in the meeting chambers ofthe 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 Pro Tem Virgil Hutchinson Invocation- Commissioner Elizabeth Gilmore  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 refrain from any participation in the particular matter involved. (No known conflicts)  Approval ofConsent Agenda:  a) Minutes from Board Meeting ofJuly 18, 2023  Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson requested a motion to approve Consent Agenda. Commissioner McDowell made the motion, and it was seconded by Commissioner Gilmore. The vote was  unanimous, and the motion carried. Adoption of Proposed Agenda:  Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson requested a motion to add Item b) Special Recognition to agenda and approve Proposed Agenda. Commissioner McDowell made the motion, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Gilmore. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.  Recognition:  Town Manager Ms. Angela Pitchford recognized Mrs.. Angela Fairley on her pending retirement on August 31,2023. Mrs. Fairley, a Police Dispatcher is retiring after twenty-five (25)years of  serve to the Town of Maxton. Old Business:  a) Audit Preparation - Allow the finance director to make the necessary amendments and adjustments toj prepare final documentation for auditor to close FY 2022-2023.    Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson requested a motion to approve Audit preparation. Commissioner McDowell made the motion, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bethea. The vote was  unanimous and the motion carried.  New Business:  a) Approve use ofinsurance funds in the amount of $19,559 to pay for two vehicles (2017 Dodge Challenger and 2019 Nissan Pathfinder) for the Maxton Police Department. Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson requested a motion to approve the use ofinsurance funds in the amount of$19,559.00 to pay for two vehicles (2017 Dodge Challenger and 2019 Nissan Pathfinder) for the Maxton Police Department. Commissioner McDowell made the motion, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Gilmore. The vote was unanimous and the motion  carried.  b) Approve purchase of2019 Chevy Tahoe in the amount of $20,500 for the Maxton Police Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson requested a motion to approve purchase of 2019 Chevy Tahoe in the amount of $20,500.00 for the Maxton Police Department. Commissioner McDowell made the motion, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bethea. The vote was unanimous and the c) Approve budget amendments to add funds for vehicles to 2023-2024 budget. Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson requested a motion to approve budget amendments to add funds for vehicles to 2023-2024 budget. Commissioner Gilmore made the motion, the motion was seconded by Commissioner McDowell. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.  Department.  motion carried.  Commissioner Womack arrived at 7:13 p.m.  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 Anthony Raynor, 419 Croom Road, Maxton, NC, 631-320-9168. Mr. Raynor said he was respectfully waiting on a special meeting to address the resignations oft the Police Chiefand the Town Clerk in training. He mentioned during his public forum speak at last month's meeting that he was rudely interrupted and heckled by Commissioner Bethea. I witnessed several verbal attacks from Commissioner Bethea. She once threated him by saying she was going to disband the Community Watch because Iasked for communication and pointed out there is none. Last month the Council had an epiphany about addressing concerns by the public and to respond to them at the next meeting to avoid conflict. Unwarranted conflict is happening on behalfofthe Council while speaking during the two (2) minute Public Forum. The Council has been made aware of suspicious activity at 104 Railroad Street at multiple town meetings and no communication has been provided. In meet with the Town Manager a couple of months ago and asked who is using the building? She responded that she did not know. Inj pervious email  the public forum. The appropriate staff member will follow up ifneeded.    communications I asked the same question. She replied we are negotiating with Mr. Jenson and Mrs. Bert Hutchinson. I asked who authorized the use oft the building. She relied while the lease in waiting it was explained that they were allowing some events at no charge, however at this time they are: not allowing anyone to rent the building. This was not news at the time. Ia asked who has access to the building and she said Commissioner Bethea has the key and provides access to the building. As Iunderstand Commissioner Bethea is related to the Hutchinson's. A local legal business was denied access to the building in a vote in August 2022, by unanimous vote and no lease money has been collected since. $10,000.00 oftax money was set aside to make repairs to improve the building. Mt time is up and Iawait the special meeting and Sandra McCallum, 421 Croom Road Maxton, NC, (910) 318-2740. Mrs. McCallum said she would like the Town to look into not using or asking for personal information in the Public Forum. She also said that she does not know the candidates running ini the upcoming election and suggested the Town provide a public forum for the candidates SO they could introduce  remember to vote in November's election.  themselves.  Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson closed the Public Forum.  Reports: Recreation Report  Mrs. Report on the Recreation Committee September activities.  Back to School Bash will be on September 9, 2023, not sure ift the event will be a drive- Cancer Awareness Walk will be on September 16, 2023, at 9a.m. There will bet two (2) parts. First part will be at Beachum Park and the Second part will be at Elizabeth Cole Remember the Times Senior Prom will be on September 23, 2023, at the renaissance Event Center 107 W. Central Street, Maxton, NC, from 6-10 p.m. Individual cost will be  through because ofCOVID.  Park at 8j p.m.  $30.00 and $50.00 for couples.  Manager Report 2023.  Town Manager Ms. Angela Pitchford introduced the Interim Chiefof Police for the Town of Maxton Mr. Schirra Johnson from Fayetteville, North Carolina who was hired on 15 August,  Police Department Report Town of] Maxton. Commissioner's Report  Interim ChiefJohnson introduce himself, al law enforcement officer with 34 years of experience by way ofWashington D.C. and said he was looking forward to being an asset and serving the  Commissioner Bethea recognized the Maxton Little League baseball champions.    Town Manager Ms. Angela Pitchford addressed the responses to concerns at last month's Public Mr. Raynor asked why the Town Commissioners did not meet with Mr. Chad Deese with the Robeson County E-911 emergency services. Ms. Pitchford stated that the Town had already meet with Mr. Deese and the County Manager about the E-911 services and there was no need fora a Mrs. Shante Quick asked what the procedure are for Animal Control. Ms. Pitchford said that if there is an issue with animal control contact the Police Department and they will dispatch animal control ifh he can't be reached, then they will contact Dennis Freeman for response. Mrs. Rita McEachin asked what the requirements were to run for Mayor and' Town Commissioner. Ms. Pitchford said Mrs. McEachin was contacted by the Town Clerk who told her all requirements to run for Town office were in the Town's Charter. She also mentioned Mr.  Forum posed by Mr. Anthony Raynor and Shante Quick.  repeat meeting.  Raynor was contacted by the Town Clerk.  ADJOURN  Mayor Pro Tem Hutchinson requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner McDowell made the motion and it was seconded by Commissioner Gilmore. The vote was  unanimous and the motion carried.  PfbDai Paul Davis, Mayor  hlc Michael D. Cousar, MBA