Hope Mills Fire Chief Matthew Cain gave a stirring address commemorating the events of a late May structure fire, and promoted several firefighters, at Monday’s Hope Mills Board of Commissioners meeting.
Commissioners also rezoned land to be used for signage related to the upcoming Wawa Travel Center and joined a county-wide effort to requalify for funding through the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Firefighters honored for life-saving actions
What happened: Cain delivered emotional comments on behalf of Leslie Bagley, the victim of a house fire in May, who was rescued by a joint team of firefighters from departments in the surrounding area. Bagley was trapped inside her home and could not escape. Firefighters entered the burning structure, located Bagley, and removed her via the window, which was the fastest route available.
“May 31 changed mine and my children’s lives, but I am beyond grateful that so many brave men and women came, and that they risk their own lives everyday, to help people like me,” Bagley told commissioners Monday. “If it hadn’t been for them I wouldn’t be standing here today. Thank you for letting me continue to be a mom to my kids.”
Bagley presented each member of the team of firefighters with a plaque commemorating their actions during the emergency.
During the meeting, several members of the Hope Mills Fire Department were promoted to new ranks. Among the those receiving elevated rank were David Arthur, Jasper Brock, Kristopher Hart, Jeffrey Hill, Thomas Ruffin, Elvin Tatum and Shawn Thompson.
During public comments, community member Cynthia Hamilton also praised the fire department for its actions in controlling a fire that was accidentally set behind her home on July 5.
Plans for Wawa Travel Center approved
What happened: In a 4-1 vote, commissioners approved the conditional zoning of land to allow Wawa Inc., a convenience store chain, to erect larger than normal signage for a first travel center to be located on Chicken Foot Road in Hope Mills.
The travel center differs from a traditional Wawa convenience store in that it will have expanded parking, more options for fueling and indoor seating. “It’s meant for two things: to support the family traveler, and also the professional driver,” Manager of Engineering for Wawa Ted Iobst previously told the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.
In support of the approval of this conditional zoning, Payman Nadimi, a real estate project engineer for Wawa, stated Monday that the purpose for the request is to ensure the brand’s signage is tall enough to be visible above the treeline — a height of 150 feet — along the I-95 corridor that borders Hope Mills.
Commissioner Joanne Scarola had reservations about the approval of this measure, since the signage will be larger than town ordinance allows. She said she was concerned about giving the company a competitive advantage by allowing their large signs, and the possible precedent of approving these measures for future projects.
“If we approve one, we’re going to have to approve all of them,” Scarola said during discussion on the issue.
Scarola cast the lone vote against the zoning request.
Why it matters: The approval of this request brings Hope Mills a step closer to being the location of the first Wawa Travel Center in the nation. The station could become a popular stop for travelers along I-95, and may bring economic boosts to the town of Hope Mills.
What’s next: Wawa plans to open its travel center in early 2025. Following this, the corporation plans to open up to 15 locations in the greater Fayetteville area in the next five to eight years, according to the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.
Federal funding opportunities
What happened: The board voted unanimously to approve an amended cooperation agreement for the Cumberland County Community Development Block Program and HOME Investment Partnership Program. These programs, both through HUD, allow the municipalities to receive federal funding for community development based on their qualification as an urban county.
Why it matters: The funding municipalities receive through these HUD programs allow for the construction of public facilities and infrastructure and enable economic development projects. The programs also allow the town to create and rehabilitate affordable housing for its residents, help those at risk or experiencing homelessness, and provide public services to those with low to moderate incomes.
What’s next: The town of Hope Mills will participate in the county-wide effort to requalify its status, making the town eligible for these federal funding opportunities. According to the Community Development Action Plan, Cumberland County is projected to receive $1,350,254 in the 2024-25 fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2025.
Other business
Commissioners approved minutes from their June 17 closed session and July 1 special meeting. These minutes will enter the public record and can be found on the town website.
The board voted unanimously to approve a budget amendment, totalling $247,800, for the use of the COPS Fast Grant and the onboarding of three new police officers. This grant, through the U.S. Dept. of Justice, will fund 75% of these new officers’ salaries and equipment for the first year of employment, 50% during the second year, and 25% of the expenses in the third year.
Commissioners approved several budget amendments regarding the expenses of leasing town vehicles and providing water and sanitation services to public properties, totalling $490,200.
Commissioners approved a renewal of a full service contract between the Hope Mills Fire Department and Stoney Point Volunteer Fire Department.
The board approved a contract with Witt O’Brien, an organization that assists the town with grant writing duties, in the amount of $30,000.
In a special meeting held prior to the regular session, commissioners approved the beginning of a process to reinstate the Hope Mills Historic Preservation Committee back to their former commission status. Should this committee achieve commission status, they would become a quasi-legal body governing historic properties throughout the municipality.
Toward the meeting’s conclusion, commissioners entered a closed session to discuss matters of attorney client privilege and personnel.
The next Hope Mills Board of Commissioners meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, July 29, at Hope Mills Town Hall.
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