Candor commissioners approve budget amendment ♥

Published in the Courier-Tribune on June 9, 2011

by Hugh Martin

CANDOR - During a brief meeting Monday night, Candor’s board of commissioners approved a budget amendment, awarded a pine straw bid, agreed to budget funds for a local council and heard an apology from their management advisor, John Gowan.

Gowan apologized for the way that last month’s informational meeting on the proposed bio-mass boiler for the Mountaire facility was publicized as a public hearing and some residents had a misperception of the project.

“It should not have been called a public hearing,” Gowan said. “If it appeared that we were trying to sneak something through, let me reiterate that we will follow all of the notice requirements. If you guys have taken any heat, let me apologize.”

Gowan said he, Town Clerk Tammy Kellis and Public Works Director Brice Hollis have had calls about the project every day.

“We want to be sure that we are all on the same page,” Gowan said.

The next public information meeting has not been scheduled.

On another matter, the board approved a budget amendment to pay $21,100.28 for VIPER-compatible radios for the police department. Police Chief Randy White told board members that the equipment had arrived and consisted of one base unit, seven mobile units, nine portable units and one spare. Funds to buy the equipment had been set aside in January 2010.

The second round of bids for the purchase of pine straw on town property was opened by Mayor Richard Britt. The higher of two bids was J.C. Comer at $1,310. Both bidders had bid $1,200 last month, resulting in the rebid.

Commissioners Tim Smith, Layton Booker, Leslie Thomas, Philip Hearne and Tim Privett approved a request from the Montgomery County Council on Aging for $1,000. The council presently oversees meal sites and home aide services to 14 senior citizens in the Candor area. The approved funds will be included in the 2011-2012 budget.

Consultant Ron Niland presented a draft greenway plan for the town’s recreation committee to review. Niland asked that the committee receive public input on the plan, which initially will address local greenway development and later tie in to the proposed Little River Trail.

A Recreation Master Plan for the town is included in the draft. Niland said that his goal was to have a completed plan to the board by August or September in order to allow sufficient time to write grant proposals. Niland also met with the board in a closed session to discuss land purchase for the fire department.