TOWN OF VANCEBORO BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING  Held their regular monthly meeting on March 4, 2024 at 7:00PM in the. Jimmie L. Morris Boardroom  I. Call to order by Mayor Chad Braxton.  II. Roll call Those Present: Mayor Chad Braxton, Alderman Steve Belrose, Alderman Keith Cannon, Alderman Russell Ipock, and Alderman Todd McMillen. Those  Absent: Alderman Thad Jones. III. Invocation by Alderman McMillen. IV. Pledge of Allegiance.  V. Approval of minutes from last meeting. Alderman McMillen made a motion to approve minutes as corrected. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ipock and VI. Approval of Cash Receipts and Disbursements. Alderman Belrose made a motion to pay bills. Motion was seconded by Alderman Cannon and carried. Vote 4-0.  carried. Vote 4-0.  VII. Public Comment. No Public Comments.  VIII. APR Restoration & Commercial Development. Mr. Matt Farlow shared that his company deals with restoration to homes and businesses due to unforeseen disasters such as tornado, fire, mold and etc. He left information here at the Town Halli if IX. Fortiline Waterworks. Mr. Dayton Rugg and Mr. Mike Gartsu were here and presented a presentation on Fortiline Waterworks meters and how they would provide accuracy to the Town ofVanceboro and its residents. X. Police Report was presented by Corporal Herring. The new patrol car is atl B&G getting outfitted with equipment and graphics. Corporal Herring is currently in  anyone is in need of their services.    training at the police law institute. Officer Johnson attended. and completed radar training. NC Attorney General Josh Stein is pushing state lawmakers to address the shortage ofl law enforcement officers in North Carolina. Through House Bill 612, it would repay community college loans for people who work four years in a North Carolina law enforcement job. There would also be hiring bonuses offered toi in- state graduates and out-of-state transfers. We completed 68 traffic stops this month, resulting in $655 worth of citations and seized 2 license plates. XI. Mayor's Reports. Ms. Frances White, longtime resident of Vanceboro, passed away this month. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family. April 1st, will be the next scheduled Board of Alderman meeting. Recycling pickup will be March 28th. The Town Hall will be closed on March 29th in observance ofGood Friday. Primary election will be held tomorrow, please exercise your right to vote. We continue to wish public works employee Chris Edwards a speedy recovery. We have a position open with the Town of Vanceboro for a public works employee. Ith has been posted on our electronic sign and sent out through our phone tree messages. We collected $493.40 through Debt setoff this month. The new police car has come in and is getting outfitted. Our upcoming budget workshops will take place on April 22nd and May 20th at 6 p.m. here in the Jimmie L. Morris Boardroom. Wewill present the proposed budget at our regular Board of Alderman meeting on June 3rd. The Public Hearing and adoption will be scheduled for. June 24th at 6 p.m. Wewill be placing new mulch in the playground instead of the matting. The matting is more expensive and must be changed every 10 years. The fencing across from the Post Office has been put back in place since the storm blew it over. Around 500K people visited the five parks in Craven County last year. West Craven High School held a Senior Citizens breakfast on Valentine's Day, thank you to Principal Montrell Lee and staff for a wonderful event. Harvest Beam, which serves our community, is trying to hire candidates to help with a project to support a federal broadband grant in Eastern North Carolina. The tobacco shop allowed a 14-year-old to purchase vape products. The product is being tested for THZ, know what your children are doing and buying. We have been meeting for the Vanceboro Strawberry Festival and things are progressing. Our next scheduled meeting will be March 12th at 6 p.m. Military Affairs Ieft some magnets and gun locks here for our community, they are. free of charge. March 3rd through March gth is Severe Weather Awareness week. Bej prepared, have a plan in place should an emergency Water Plant-] Mayor Braxton asked Public Works Supervisor, Vernon Edwards, to share information on the need for filters to be replaced at the Water Plant. The Town voted to have our softeners replaced this yeari in the 23-24 fiscal year. Iam requesting that we do both filters, they haven't been done in 10 to 12 years. The costs for this to be done will be $47K. Mayor Braxton confirmed that there are funds available through the current budget to compensate for the upgrades. Alderman McMillen made a motion to update both filters at the Water Treatment Plant. Motion was seconded by Alderman Cannon and carried. Vote 4-0.  arise.  Meeting Minutes  March 4, 2024    XII. Alderman Reports.  Alderman Cannon stated that librarian Miriam Roseblossom has resigned her position with the Vanceboro library. We are currently looking for a new librarian, please contact Kat Clowers, Director of the Craven-Pamlico Regional Staff, ifyou Alderman Belrose stated that thel NC Department of Transportation will be moving forward with the rewidening of] Hwy. 17 from Spruill Town Road to the Bypass in 2024. The costs will be $87 million for this project of Hwy. 17. The Vanceboro Strawberry Festival plans are going well, Chairman Christie Arrington is doing a great job. Do we have a dog park in Vanceboro? Ibrought my grandson to the park toj play basketball, but we didn't have any basketballs on the court. Alderman Ipock stated that the West Craven High School lady eagles Basketball Team will be playing in the 3rd round of playoffs. He inquired ofwhen Seargent  arei interested in the position.  Sheldon would be returning. He should be returning in May.  Alderman McMillen had no comment.  XIII. There being no further business we dismissed at 8:41 p.m.  Ihereby certify that the above is true and accurate record ofs said minutes.  OEBoh CHAD E. BRAXTON MAYOR  BwW-Dal BEVERLY WDRAKE TOWN CLERK  Meeting Minutes  March 4, 2024