BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN | CityView Staff
The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen discussed supporting a program to address recidivism and the possibility of donating land to build two Habitat for Humanity neighborhoods, among other agenda items, at the board’s Monday meeting.
When People Work
- What happened: The board heard a presentation from When People Work (WPW) CEO and Government Relations Liaison Sherrod Knox. One of WPW’s core services is to help create individual plans for justice-impacted people as they leave jail or prison to assist them with their reentry into society. The organization provides help with medical services, transportation, job training, writing resumes, financial literacy, housing and substance abuse counseling.
WPW’s VetsBridge program also works to address the needs of returning military service members and to combat issues such as homelessness, unemployment, mental health challenges and addiction.
- Why it matters: The WPW program is designed to help justice-impacted individuals find “value and hope as they leave the horrors of incarceration,” according to the organization’s website. The group focuses on assisting justice-impacted citizens and veterans re-enter society and move beyond obstacles such as criminal records or challenges associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. The program is in four counties in North Carolina, including Wake, Wilson, Edgecombe and Pitt, and hopes to expand to Cumberland County.
- What’s next: The board agreed to further discuss both of WPW’s programs at the next work session on Nov. 27.
Habitat for Humanity
- What happened: Brandon Price, CEO for Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, presented board members options for affordable housing in a potential partnership with Spring Lake.
- Why it matters: Since its founding in 1988, the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity has built over 300 homes for families in the area. The tenants of Habitat homes typically make between 50 and 80% of the area’s median income, Price said. Spring Lake’s median income in 2021 was $39,659, according to data from the U.S. Census. Price said 40% of applicants are over 55 years old.
The Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity partners with municipalities like Spring Lake and Fayetteville and Bladen, Sampson and Cumberland counties in order to get land and funding, Price said. He proposed two Habitat neighborhoods within 100 feet of the town’s municipal building and adjoining fire station. The proposal is currently in its first stage of collecting initial community feedback.
The nearly 5 acres would need to be donated by the town. One neighborhood would be a community for adults ages 55 and over and the other would be a tiny home community.
Price also said he was already in communication and partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health System CEO Michael Nagowski and COO Daniel Weatherly about providing a health care facility near the community, particularly to service those 55 years and older. Weatherly sits on the Habitat’s board.
“We already have their support,” Price said. “They’re already ready. They are just waiting for us to move forward with our project.”
Alderman Marvin Lackman raised a concern regarding noise from the nearby fire station. "I'm concerned about the location: One, it cuts off future connection to the Lake Tree subdivision, and two, we have the fire department right there, coming and going with the lights and noise," Lackman said.
- What’s next: After lengthy discussion, the board agreed to revisit this topic at its next work session on Nov. 27.
Adoption of 2024 holiday schedule
- What happened: The board adopted the 2024 holiday schedule for town employees.
- Why it matters: Town Hall will be closed to the public in observance of 10 holidays:
- New Year’s Day on Monday, Jan. 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15
- Good Friday on Friday, March 29
- Memorial Day on Monday, May 27
- Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19
- Independence Day on Thursday, July 4
- Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2
- Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29
- Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25
- What’s next: The resolution took effect immediately upon its adoption.
Donation of communications shelter
- What happened: The board unanimously accepted a donation of a communications shelter, located at 508 Poe Ave., from T-Mobile South LLC.
- Why it matters: The telecommunications company donated the communications shelter underneath the town’s water tower, and asked if the town would like the small shed on the property.
- What’s next: Staff plans to use the shed to store work tools owned by the town.
Town proclamations
- What happened: Aldermen Marvin Lackman and Raul Palacios were recognized by Mayor Kia Anthony for going above and beyond in helping with town events.
- What it matters: Lackman serves as an ex-officio for the Military and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and Palacios represents the board on the Appearance and Sustainability Committee. Both men were involved in helping plan the Veterans Day Ceremony and Mural Unveiling on Friday. Lackman also coordinated the Veterans Service Day, which was held Nov. 4.
- What’s next: Both Lackman and Palacios gave credit to the respective committees and chairs and said they are looking forward to planning the events next year.
The board also met in closed session for 30 minutes to discuss confidential information and personnel matters.
The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen will hold its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Grady Howard Conference Room of the Spring Lake municipal complex.
Note: Absent at this meeting was Mayor Pro Tem Robyn Chadwick.
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