VAN  TOWN OF VANCEBORO BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING  Held their regular monthly meeting on December 4, 2023 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, Alderman Thad Jones and Alderman Todd  McMillen.  III. Invocation by Alderman Belrose. IV. Pledge of Allegiance.  V. Approval ofr minutes from last meeting. Alderman Ipock made a motion to approve minutes as corrected. Motion was seconded by Alderman Jones and carried. Vote VI. Approval of Cash Receipts and Disbursements. Alderman Jones made a motion toj pay bills. Motion was seconded by Alderman McMillen and carried. Vote 5-0.  5-0.  VII. Public Comment. No Public Comments.  VIII. Clerk. Approval ofBoard of Alderman Meetings and Holiday Schedule for 2024. Alderman Belrose made a motion to adopt the 2024 Board of Alderman Meeting Schedule. Motion was seconded by Alderman Jones and carried. Vote 5-0. Alderman Ipock made a motion to adopt the 2024 Holiday Schedule. Motion was IX. Resolution - Board of] Elections - Opting in for Early and Absentee Voting. Alderman Cannon made a motion that the Town of Vanceboro Opt in for Early and Absentee Voting. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ipock and carried. Vote 5-0.  seconded by Alderman McMillen and carried. Vote 5-0.    X. Police Report was presented by ChiefKeys. We have a new officer with the department. Officer Sean Johnson, will be our School Resource Officer once hel has completed all ofl his training with Corporal Herring. Corporal Herring will be transitioning toj patrol. The new school zone signs have been placed to reduce speed to 20mph in the area of VFL and Lamb's Care. These new speed limits will be enforced during school hours. Our department is partnering with CNC Systems located at 276 Bailey Lane to host a free community Christmas event. The event will be held on December 16th from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be free food, hot cocoa, apple cider and smores. There will be a craft making station for everyone to make an ornament. The first 250 people will receive a free Christmas dinner. We have placed toy boxes at Family Dollar, Dollar General, Kite's, thel Library, and the Town Hall. All toys donated will be given to the kids at the event by Santa Claus who will be in attendance. We encourage everyone to attend and to spread the word about the event. We are still waiting for the new patrol car to be delivered. It will XI. Mayor's Reports. Special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Andy Caprara for their $2500 donation to the Police Department. Birthdays this month include: Alderman Thad Jones and Alderman Russell Ipock. Mr. George Chemali owner of the old Handy Mart passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. The columbarium for the cemetery will have to wait for now, legislature didn'tapprove dissolving the perpetual care. Our annual tree lighting was a great success; it was the largest crowd yet. Thank you to everyone who had aj parti in making this event great. AII of the town decorations were put up on time and they look great. Our Town Christmas Party will be December 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the VFW. We will be inviting our former mayors, alderman and the planning and zoning board to participate this year. Garbage pickup for Christmas and New Year's will be a day later than normal. Next recycling date will be December 7th. Next Board of Alderman meeting will be held on January 8, 2024. Edging around Town will be completed this week. Alderman Cannon will be meeting with our lawn maintenance for the cemeteries to discuss cleaning around our flat monuments. Coastal Dragline removed the limbs and debris from the WWTP. Ditch mowing in' Town is about 75% complete at this time. Mr. Vernon Edwards met with the contractor at the property located at 8514 Main Street. Thank you to Alderman Belrose and Alderman Cannon for placing the trees at the stoplight. Our electronic sign is coming along at the Town Hall, it should be completed soon. Our thoughts and prayers for Public works employee Chris Edwards. He was involved in an accident and was hurt pretty bad. We wish him a speedy recovery. Paw Paw's Thrift Store looks great. We have five homes in our Town that is available for sale at this time. Town Hall will be closed from December 25th through the 27th in observance of  be sent tol B&G to have the graphics and electronics installed.  Christmas. XII. Alderman Reports.  Alderman McMillen stated that we should get a couple of estimates for a wood fence from White Street and continue to behind Bower's Park. He will report back with  the estimates.  Meeting Minutes  December 4, 2023    Alderman Jones wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He Alderman Ipock stated that the Christmas decoration throughout Town looked Alderman Belrose wanted to know if Alderman Cannon was planning to clean both Alderman Cannon stated that there is a new librarian here in Vanceboro, her name isl Marian Roseblossom. She has a Iot planned this month, stop by and see what is going on. Friends of the library will be raffling off al basket for Christmas, tickets  told everyone to stay safe and healthy. great. Merry Christmas to everyone. cemeteries or just one oft them.  are $2 each.  XIII. Therel being no further business we dismissed at 7:49 p.m.  Ihereby certify that the above is true and accurate record ofs said minutes.  BoyW-Dale BEVERLYW.DRAKE TOWN CLERK  OpERph  MAYOR  Meeting Minutes  December 4, 2023