Published in the Courier-Tribune on August 10, 2011
by Hugh Martin
STAR — With the receipt of a $10,000 Golden Leaf matching grant assured, Star is set to begin work on a sewer extension to Carolina Growler in the Ether community.
During the August board of commissioners meeting, Mayor Susan Eggleston announced the receipt of the grant, which will go toward administrative work for the project. Another grant of $500,000 was previously received for the project.
The board approved the signing of the $12,500 contract with Hobbs, Upchurch of Southern Pines for the engineering work.
Tim Carpenter, representing Hobbs, Upchurch, said in ideal conditions, the 14,000 feet of forced pressure sewer line could be installed in as little as 45 days, but realistically the time frame would be more like four months. That’s because a pump station and easement acquisition are included in the project.
Carpenter said that work could begin immediately upon completion of the contract. The engineering phase could be completed in 60 days.
Growler handles contracts for the U.S. Department of Defense. Most recently, the facility had just been awarded a large contract to build munitions vehicles, commissioners also learned.
In other business, Commissioner Richard Hinson reported he had received a complaint from a citizen about phone calls not being answered after hours and the inability to leave a message at town hall.
Public Works Director Wesley Brown said that they could not install an answering service on the town’s current phone system.
“You can’t just go down to Walmart and pick up a machine,” Brown said. “The system is more complicated than that.”
Town Clerk Robin Hussey said the office is vacant only when she goes to the bank or the post office. When the office is going to be vacant for longer periods the system would forward calls to his or Hussey’s cell phone, Brown said.
Commissioner Alice Clemens and Mayor Eggleston both said that they had received similar complaints.
“With today’s technology people want to leave a message, not just hear a phone ringing,” Hinson said.
When asked why an answering service could not be installed by the telephone company Brown replied that the system belongs to the town, not the phone company.
“We could spend all the money we want on it and have one installed,” he said.
“If it continues to be a problem, we’ll take a look at it,” Eggleston said.
In other business, commissioners Clemens, Hinson, Jennifer Fountain, George Kivett and James Parker:
•Learned of the delivery of a new fire truck, owned by Montgomery County, that will be stationed at the Star Fire Department.
• Approved the use of a town street the morning of the annual Christmas parade for use by area Cub Scouts for a Cubmobile race, similar to a soap box derby. The race is currently held in Troy during Troyfest, but organizers want to move it to cooler weather.
•Learned Star had received a Governor’s Innovative Small Business Award that had been sought by STARworks.
• Were reminded of the monthly STEP meeting on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m.
• Were urged to support the Star Farmers’ Market, which is held Tuesdays from 2:30-6 p.m. at the Heritage Center, next door to the town hall.
•Were reminded of a called meeting Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. for opening bids on the sale of the town-owned medical building. Bids will be accepted until the meeting begins.
• Heard an announcement by Eggleston that, in honor of Management Advisor John Gowan, whose two-year tenure ends Aug. 31, the town will purchase a brick with his name engraved upon it, for use in the construction of the exhibit for the miniature train. The exhibit is under construction on the lawn in front of town hall.
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