BY DEBBIE PAGE
debbiepage.iredellfreenews@gmail.com
Troutman Town Council members voted to begin signups for the annual Christmas Parade on Monday afternoon after receiving information on falling COVID-19 numbers from Health Department Director Jane Hinson.
Since the activity is outdoors and allows for social distancing, Town Manager Ron Wyatt asked the council members for their approval to plan for the popular town event. He also announced that reservations and rentals of town amenities are also now being taken again.
The parade will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, beginning at the Career Academy and Technology School, located at 350 Old Murdock Road, and proceeding down Eastway Drive to Troutman Baptist Church.
Applications are available online HERE. They must be received by November 26. The entry fee is one new toy to be donated to the town’s Toys for Tots collection drive.
Contact ewatson@troutmannc.gov with questions.
TALLY STREET/DOWNTOWN SIDEWALKS & RICHARDSON GREENWAY EXTENSION
Wyatt was pleased to announce that the Talley Street sidewalk project, discussed since 2013 and delayed by NCDOT funding issues since approval, and other town sidewalk and greenway projects are finally getting underway.
Last week the town issued a request for letters of interest for preliminary engineering, design, and environmental documentation for the downtown sidewalk project, which includes 950 linear feet on the east side of Rumple Street, 800 feet on the east side of Rumple Street, and 3,600 feet on the east side of Talley Street.
The town also issued a request for letters of interest for a 6,000 linear square foot extension of the Richardson Greenway south to the Jacob Woods Subdivision on Byers Road along Highway 21.
NEW STAFF
Wyatt welcomed a number of new staff members who have joined the town in recent months. Justin Mundy is the new finance director, replacing the retiring Steve Shealy. Lynn Hair is the new planning and zoning director, joined by Andrew Vantresca, associate planner.
Chip Smith is the new parks and recreation director, replacing Emily Watson, who is moving to a new position as the director of communications, community engagement, and employee services.
Mayor Teross Young also thanked all staff members who stepped in to take on additional duties when these positions were open. Their help gave Wyatt the time to methodically fill these jobs and find the best people to serve the citizens of the town.
“All of them have servants’ hearts,” added Young.
OTHERS DISCUSSION
♦ Council members complimented the new banners going up for the autumn season.
♦ Artist Joey Dill is creating the new Mountain Dew mural on the south side of T-Town Jewelry and Pawn, and citizens are giving positive feedback. Mayor Young expressed appreciation to Pepsi and Mountain Dew companies for funding these projects to help make positive improvements to Troutman’s appearance with this mural and on the Randy’s BBQ building.
♦ Watson is working with all town departments to update and improve the new town website with the goal of improving communication and providing information.
MEETING AGENDA
On Thursday night, the council will consider:
♦ A resolution approving financing terms with BB&T/Truist Bank for $340,000 to purchase property for a new Town Hall. The 10-year loan terms include a 2.17 percent interest rate.
♦ A text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding digital billboards on the I-77 corridor.
♦ Facade improvements for accessory structures at Detailed Image Collisions and Customs (697 Main Street).
♦ Setting November 10 public hearing dates for annexation requests from Troutman Logistics (159 acres) at Hwy 21 and Ostwalt Amity Road, from Wagner Street Townehomes (13.6 acres between Quail Haven Drive and Era Street), and from the Rocky Creek project (53 acres on the 700 block of Highway 21/115).
♦ Annexation and highway business rezoning requests for a Speedway store/gas station on Charlotte Highway at Lexus Drive.
♦ Rezoning request for 1 acre at 1055 Charlotte Highway from county to town highway business by Superior Properties.
♦ Annexation of 1.3 acres on Winecoff Street for The Meadows project to align all of the development into the town limits.
♦ A contract amendment to Children’s Hope Alliance (CHA) Wastewater Agreement between the town, Iredell County, and CHA.
♦ Falls Cove Waterline Extension ($17,965) to upgrade the line before final road construction in Falls Cove II.
♦ Capital budget reserve transfer to utility fund-purchase of 75,000 gallons of sewer capacity ($233,220).
♦ Approval of Design Review Board (DRB) Rules of Procedure.
♦ Approval of amendment to the Town of Troutman Schedule of Fees
♦ Design Review Board reappointments of Hap Williams and Darrell Nantz to 3-year terms.
The Winecoff Village annexation and rezoning requests are expected to be moved to a later date.
The council will also hear standing quarterly reports to the Troutman Fire Department and the Troutman ABC Store.