BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Troutman Town Council selected Ana Johnson as the Citizen of the Year and the Troutman Ruritan Club as Organization of the Year during Thursday night’s meeting.

Citizen of the Year

Johnson, owner of Burritos and Ribs, was nominated by Rhonda Nau “for her unwavering support and kindness to the citizens, staff, and community at large.”

“She consistently looks for ways to help others — whether it’s bringing meals to our first responders to show appreciation or opening doors at her restaurant, free of charge, to anyone in the community that needs a free meal at holiday times.

“Ana often works in partnership with local nonprofits, the town, other business owners, and Iredell Statesville Schools. This shows her desire to collaborate and work with others for the good of our community. Ana’s hard work and kindness towards others shows in everything she does, and she is most deserving of this award.”

Organization of the Year

My Sister’s House Director Brittany Campbell nominated the Troutman Ruritan Club for the Organization of the Year honor, saying the club has “been a great help to our domestic violence shelter.”

The club completed one room transformation, replacing everything in the bathroom, including the shower, toilet, and flooring. The club also redecorated a second room last fall.

The club members made both rooms “feel like home and paid attention to every detail. They even cleaned out the vents in the room to help assure that the families were able to breathe in clean air.”

The Troutman Ruritan is also assisting in redoing the shelter’s playroom for the young residents. They also have cleaned, sorted, and organized the many donated items in the facility’s storage room to help residents find needed items more easily.

At Christmas, the club provided gifts for children and their mothers and wrapped them as well.

“This group has been a blessing to us and continues to check in to see if we are in need of anything,” Campbell said.

EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

Mike Clavette and Zorin Hunter were recognized as the Town of Troutman Employees of the Month for March.

Public Works Director Austin Waugh said that the two jumped into three big jobs, rebuilding one sewer station pump and installing two new pumps after the old ones could not be repaired. Waugh said they exceeded expectations with their work.

Mayor Teross Young congratulated the pair, saying that it is “impressive that you just started with us and quickly have become employees of the month.”

“We appreciate the work that you do every day. I know that it is not always easy out there, but again, it is noticed, not just by council but by citizens.”

COUNCIL HONORS SIHS WRESTLERS

The council honored South Iredell High School wrestler Dru Kerley for placing first in the Class 4A 113- pound weight class and Sam Harper for placing second in the 190-pound weight class at the N.C. Wrestling Championships, along with their Hall of Fame coach Bill Mayhew.

Mayhew said that the two were outstanding individuals who worked hard to achieve these state-level achievements. He noted that Dru has been an all-state performer for three years and Sam for two years.

Dru also broke the school record for most wrestling wins with over 160 wins, and Sam has won over 100 matches with more matches ahead next season.

“Both of them are really outstanding wrestlers and the community can be proud of them,” said Mayhew.

He also asked their parents to be recognized for their support of their student athletes.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Mayor Young proclaimed April as 2025 National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Troutman. The mayor cited the 3.9 million reports made to child protective services in the U.S. last fiscal year to indicate the breadth of the issue.

Young went on to say that child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of the community and that finding solutions requires input and actions from everyone because children are the community’s most valuable resources and will shape the future of Iredell County.

The mayor noted that child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences on the victims.

Protective factors, which are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and provide the social and emotional and developmental well-being of children, are important to develop. Communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and healthy families.

Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals and education, health, community, and faith based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families.

Young said the community must work together to increase awareness of child abuse signs and continue to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

This declaration was made in partnership with the Iredell County Department of Social Services, the Iredell County Guardian Ad-litem Office, Pharos Parenting, Children’s Hope Alliance, Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children.

SEWER COLLECTION REHABILITATION PROJECT

The council voted to award construction contracts for the 2022 Sewer Collection Rehabilitation Project to reduce the amount of rainwater collection in the sewer system. The money for the project was to come from $1,655,000 in state grant funds as well as a low-interest loan (1.6 percent over 20 years) of $687,500.

However, Town Engineer Benjy Thomas said both projects came in over expected costs, necessitating another $600,000 to complete the project. The state does have additional money for the low-interest loan, which will now rise to approximately $1.3 million.

The sewer pipe rehabilitation bid from SAK Construction came in at $916,832.50, with the other improvements to be completed by Locke-Lane Construction, with that bid coming in at $1,636,200.

The project will insert sleeve-like devices inside about 50 percent of the town’s clay pipes, identified as damaged after an extensive study, that contribute to rainwater entering the town’s sewer collection system and causing unnecessary treatment costs.

The clay pipes were installed prior to 1980 when PVS pipes came into use. Thomas said clay pipes will last up to 100 years in good condition, and this less expensive repair process will add another twenty years to the life of the leaky clay pipes.

The project will also repair several brick manholes. Digging up and replacing them would cost $10,000 to $15,000, and these much less expensive repairs will add another 10 to 20 years of use for these manholes.

Thomas estimated that the rainwater entering the sewer system would be cut in half after the rehabilitation, giving significant cost savings to the town for sewer treatment and offsetting repair costs.

With council approval now in place, the rehabilitation plan and bids will be sent to Raleigh for state consent to begin the project, most likely beginning in May or June.

OTHER BUSINESS

The council also approved:

♦ Budget amendments to the town’s General Fund, which includes a $967,000 increase in revenues from tax collections, fees and revenues, and rental income as well as a $1,679,000 appropriation from the fund balance.

The amendments also include $2,646,000 in expenditures, including money spent for services, information technology, supplies, downtown enhancements. The amount includes $2 million in capital outlay for purchasing and renovating recently acquired properties, including the former Liat facility near the fairgrounds and a property on Klutz Street.

♦ Budget amendments to the Utility Fund include $1,493,000 in increased sales and fees revenues and $1,493,000 in expenditures on supplies and expenses, contracted services, and new storage facilities and for five older model new trucks for additional employees and to replace aging vehicles.

♦ Amendments to the Town of Troutman Schedule of Fees for cost increases for water meters, irrigation connections, and off-duty officers pay to provide security at facility rental events were also approved. A nonprofit category with reduced rental prices on the Troutman Depot, ESC Park Pavilion, and soccer/baseball fields was also added.

♦ An amendment to the Town of Troutman Flower and Card Policy raised the amount for flowers or donations from $65 to $100 because of rising floral costs.

♦ An ordinance regarding burglar/robbery alarms to impose fines on excessive false alarms was passed.

♦ A hearing date of May 8 for consideration of the annexation of 151 acres located on Clontz Hill Road and the annexation of .76 acres at 875 Old Mountain Road was set. The Planning and Zoning board will consider its recommendation on both at its meeting on April 28 at 6 p.m.