BY DEBBIE PAGE
The Troutman Town Council unanimously approved a request to waive a late fee for Lifespan Services at its pre-agenda meeting on Monday afternoon in an effort to help the nonprofit in its struggles to pay an enormous water bill after a substantial underground leak on its property.
The leak was discovered by town staff when they noticed a significant increase in water usage by Lifespan. Town Manager Ron Wyatt said tens of thousands of gallons of water were lost, but since the leak was underground, the staff was unaware.
“If the town staff had not found it, it could have been much worse,” said Wyatt.
As soon as the town notified Lifespan, the organization had repairs underway almost immediately.
The original water/sewer bill was nearly $40,000, but the town gave a $23,200 credit for unused sewer services on the leaked water. State statutes do not allow the town to waive the cost of the water itself, said Wyatt.
While waiting for the Lifespan board to make decisions and the town to make bill adjustments, Lifespan accrued a $1,656.13 late fee. In a letter to the town, Lifespan Treasurer Robert Gondos requested that the council waive the late fee.
“We greatly appreciate the abatement of the sewer portion of the bill; however, we will still struggle to make the water payments associated with the leak,” said Gondos.
“Having to pay a late fee on top of that is another gut punch after we have already lost so much revenue due to Hurricane Helene.”
Lifespan has worked out a repayment plan on the remaining $16,561.32 it owes the town.
Wyatt noted that the Lifespan branch in Troutman offers valuable services to the community by providing opportunities for education, employment, and enrichment to children and adults in Iredell County with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“It helps them still be productive and have a sense of belonging,” added Wyatt.
Council member Paul Henkel admires Lifespan for taking the high road and doing the right thing to pay the town back for the water, even though it will be a hardship.
Wyatt hopes that upon hearing of Lifespan’s plight, community members may be led to contribute to Lifespan to help them out of a predicament not of their making. Those interested can donate online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/lifespanservicesinc/.
Council members unfamiliar with Lifespan asked to visit Lifespan to see its contributions to these clients and the community.
Chickens, Goat Grazing, and Livestock
When Troutman’s Unified Development Ordinance was last updated, Wyatt said the sections on having hens, temporary goat grazing to remove unwanted vegetation, and rules for owning certain types of livestock in town limits were supposed to be moved to the town’s Code of Ordinances but were not because of several personnel changes in the town planner position.
On Thursday night, the council will be asked to rectify that omission. However, council members wanted to amend a few areas as they updated the ordinances affecting people living in the town limits.
♦ Livestock such as hens (no roosters), cows, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and mules may be kept within the corporate limits of the Town of Troutman with some provisions.
♦ Hogs, pigs and swine not permitted in town limits.
♦ Animals must be kept at a minimum of 150 feet from any public street, residential structure, or business structure, except the animal owner’s structures. Animals must also be kept in clean, healthy, and humane conditions.
♦ The animals must be fenced and fully enclosed to prevent animals from leaving the property, and animals will only be permitted on acreage that is sufficient for their welfare.
♦ After Paul Henkel raised concerns, the council agreed to change the minimum required acreage from 2 to 3 acres per horse, cow, sheep, mule, or donkey, essentially limiting livestock to the rural preservation zoning area.
♦ Owning hens will require a quarter-acre lot, with a maximum of four birds per property.
♦ Citizens who have had livestock or chickens on their property prior to January 1, 2025, are grandfathered as long as they do not change the acreage or number of animals.
♦ Residents living in a development with a homeowner association must still follow its restrictions.
♦ Goat grazing to control invasive vegetation species would be permitted on a limited basis with a temporary use permit for one week of grazing twice per year from March 1 through October 31 (changed from November 30).The property fully must be enclosed with fencing, and goats must be kept in conditions that promote their well-being.
Council members voted 4-1 (Eddie Nau opposed) to present the amended ordinances for final approval on Thursday night.
THURSDAY NIGHT’S AGENDA
Other items on Thursday night’s agenda include:
♦ Setting a March 13 hearing date for annexation requests by Sterling Properties of Mooresville LLC for nearly 50 acres on Autumn Leaf Road and by John Lambert for 0.3902 acres at 142 Scotch Irish Lane.
♦ Considering an amendment to the Schedule of Fees for engineering review. Currently the fee is $90 per hour plus 5 percent. The change would raise fees to $140 per hour and 10 percent if the invoice is under $2,000 and $140 per hour plus 5 percent if the invoice is over $2,000.
♦ Recognition of Public Works staff members Cameron Morris and Casey Beasley as the Town of Troutman Employees of the Month for January.
♦ Consider a Request from Barium Seasons Homeowner Association for council approval of four stop signs to be placed within the subdivision.
♦ Consider a text amendment to establish a Local Commercial (LC) zoning category in the UDO for less intense commercial areas to provide neighborhood services on parcels less than three acres.