HOPE MILLS — All four newly elected commissioners—Hope Page, Grilley Mitchell, Cynthia Hamilton, and Lisa Tremmel—attended Monday’s regular board meeting in Town Hall, though not yet in their official capacity.
It was a light business agenda for commissioners as the current board conducted their last full meeting of this term. New members, who will be sworn in on December 1 at Town Hall, sat in the audience.
Commissioner Bryan Marley was absent because of his full-time job and Mayor Pro Tem Kenjuana McCray participated by phone.
Commissioner Jerry Legge, who announced his retirement after serving 27 years as a commissioner, congratulated the newly elected members and thanked everyone for their support. “I wasn’t in the election, so I didn’t have to go get stuff up,” Legge said, referring to campaign signs left by candidates.
“That’s all we have from this commissioner. Any of you town staff have any questions before I ride outta here?” Legge joked. “I got one more meeting before I tell y’all bye-bye.”
Town Business
The board on Monday also unanimously approved an initial zoning request of 14.97 acres to a planned service and retail district within town limits, a zoning which accommodates heavy commercial. The land is undeveloped and located 200 feet east of the intersection of Town Center Drive and Rockfish Road. No one spoke for or against the zoning request.
The board unanimously approved a budget amendment allocating $13,000 to the Hope Mills Police Department. The funds will cover $3,000 for policing supplies and $10,000 for a new police canine. The money will come from the department’s drug forfeiture fund and will not impact the town’s general budget.
“It’s all asset forfeiture money again. Just a reminder that’s the money from prosecuting drug dealers. No cost to the taxpayer,” Chief Stephen Dollinger told the board.
Staff presented the board with a project regarding repairs to the walking trail leading from the cemetery to the Jerry Legge Sports Complex. Water runoff from the cemetery has washed out the trail leading to the complex. The board unanimously approved to move forward with engineering planning in the amount of $22,300.
The board also held a swearing-in ceremony for a new police officer, Labretta McBryde, who brings 14 years of law enforcement experience to the position.
The board will meet again at 7 p.m. on December 1 at Town Hall for the swearing-in and reorganization meeting, where the newly elected commissioners will take the oath of office and the board will conduct its transition of leadership.
