TOWN OF VANCEBORO BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING  Held their regular monthly meeting on November 6, 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, and Alderman Todd McMillen. Those  Absent: Alderman Thad Jones. II. Invocation by Alderman Cannon. IV. Pledge of Allegiance.  V. Approval of minutes from last meeting. Alderman Ipock made a motion to approve minutes as corrected. Motion was seconded by Alderman Belrose and carried. Vote VI. Approval of Cash Receipts and Disbursements. Alderman McMillen made: a motion to pay bills. Motion was seconded by Alderman Ipock and carried. Vote 4-0.  4-0.  VII. Public Comment.  Collette Porter - 253B James Street - Ms. Porter is in the process of purchasing this property from Joan Irvine and wanted to see if the Town would give her a variance CJ Simmons - 8514 Main Street - was available by phone to answer any questions the Board of Alderman and area neighbors had regarding the four new homes being built on this property. He stated that each home would be a three bedroom, two bathrooms with a one car garage on each. The homes would sell for around $275,000. There would be mortgage assistance and financing available as well as  for a mobile home to be placed.  USDA loans.    Alderman McMillen asked Mr. Simmons how the road accessibility would be made. He also inquired of how the drainage would be for thel homes. Mr. Simmons stated that the road would be asphalt and that the drainage of the property would be along the front of the homes and into the manhole at the Ms. Lou Ann Bryan of 8518 Main Street asked Mr. Simmons if any type of fencing would bej placed on the property. Mr. Simmons stated that fencing Vernon Edward, Public Works Director said he was concerned with meeting with the contractor and Mr. Simmons to discuss the present utilities on the property. He stated that right now there are two 4" services to the one manhole and there was a 6" water line that they would have to tap into. If the line is more than 300' there would have to be another manhole placed on the property. Mr. Simmons stated that he and Mr. Bullock, contractor for the utility work would meet with Vernon Edwards soon. Mayor Chad Braxton asked if there would be a 60 ft. turn around for emergency vehicles to turn around if something were to happen and itl be needed. Mr. Simmons stated that there would be a place to turn around at  right of property.  willl be) placed at the rear of the property.  the back of the property.  VIII. Resolution - Board ofl Elections - Opting in for Early Voting. Alderman Ipock made a motion that the Town of Vanceboro Opti in for Early Voting. Motion was seconded IX. Police Report was presented by ChiefKeys. The 2024 Ford Explorer has been ordered for the department and should be here at the: first of December. Wes should have paperwork back on the new officer soon and we will get him swore in. We conducted a school traffic campaign to help reduce the speeders in the school zones. For the month of October, we had 47 traffic stops, in which 23 werei in the school zone. Sgt. Sheldon completed basic criminal investigations course. Paw Paw's business is going to now be run by his son, James Rothwell Jr. Hel has been made aware oft the ordinances and has to clean up outside of the building in a timely manner. Ia am requesting more school zone signs to bej placed in the area. Alderman Ipock made a motion to purchase eight signs for the school zones with the 20 mph listed. Motion was seconded by Alderman Belrose and carried. Vote 4-0. X. Mayor's Reports. The police are checking peddler's license in Town to make sure they are current. Rock was placed at the intersection of Grand Avenue and West Railroad Street. Footers were poured at the Town Hall for our electronic sign to be built. They are waiting for the brick to come in to start building the sign. The limbs at Celestial Memorial Gardens have been cut back. Craven County Recreation Department is registering kids to play basketball. The child must be between the ages of7-12 years old, all practices will be at Vanceboro Farm Life. Elementary and all games will be played West Craven High School. Craven County Crime Stoppers has shared the information regarding the four wheeler being stolen in Vanceboro;  by Alderman Belrose and carried. Vote 4-0.  Meeting Minutes  November 6, 2023    as well as other crimes in our area. Hopefully we can have these cases solved soon. Corporal Herring Iost his grandmother recently, our hearts and prayers go out to his family. The next Board of Alderman Meeting will be held on December 4th. Recycling will be picked up November gth. The Town Hall will be closed on November 10th in observance of Veteran's Day. We will also be closed on November 23-d and 24th for Thanksgiving. Iwanted to correct a statement made at a previous board meeting, the oldest living person within the city limits of Vanceboro is Ms. Macey Dubie, shei is 98 years old. We will be holding an organizational meeting for the Vanceboro Strawberry Festival at thel beginning of 2024. We received our first payment for the Powell Bill of $16,000. Irode Senator Perry down Farm Life Avenue and showed him where we still need to fix this road, he will seei if! he can get the Town some assistance with this request. Trunk or Treat went well this year, thank you to Vanceboro Global Methodist Church and Alderman Ipock for all of their work and effort to host this event. The annual tree lighting event will bel held on November. 30th at' 7:00 p.m. Decorations will be hung up throughout Town on November 17th. We had our annual State inspection for the Water and Wastewater Plants in August. Everything went well and we didn't have a whole lot ofissues.  XI. Alderman Reports.  Alderman McMillen stated that he was pleased with our Public Works Department, Vernon Edwards and Pernell Fields had been very helpful. He stated that Brittany Mumford and Beverly Drake were always there to help out in any way they can. Alderman Ipock stated that Hallelujah Night was a great success. He thanked' The Alderman Belrose wanted to know where we are in the process of getting new water softeners at the Water Plant. He also asked about the planters at the stop light, if Alderman Cannon wanted to do the trees with lights again for Christmas. Alderman Cannon stated that Friends of the Library stated that the movie night was a huge success, with approximately 40 to: 50 people in attendance. Swift Creek Christian Academy was there selling concessions during the event. Ms. Katherine Clowers, Director with the Regional Staff of the Craven-Pamlico Library was onsite with the Tech Mobile. They will be placing a new little free library here at Bower's Park and the old one will be moved to Family Dollar out on the corner. We'd like to thank Vanceboro United Methodist Church for donating the box for the new free library. Thanks also to Saylor Thomas for painting the new box and Mr. Jimmy Hooten for repairing the box. I'd like for us to consider cutting back grass at the cemeteries from the surface stones that arei flat to the ground. Some of them are being overtaken by the grass. Maybe we could also do some cleaning ofs some of the old stones, we could spray them with Wet and Forget and hopefully that would make them look better. P'd like to be over the process ofl having a Columbarium  We have great staff at the Town.  Town and the Police for their support with this event.  built at the cemetery.  Meeting Minutes  November 6, 2023    XII. Therel being noi further business we dismissed at 8:31 p.m.  Ihereby certify that the above is true and accurate record ofs said minutes.  OalEBah CHAD E. BRAXTON MAYOR  BwrlyW-Dale BEVERLYW.DRAKE TOWN CLERK  Eha  Meeting Minutes  November 6, 2023