Call to Order/Invocation
The Town Council of the Town of Belhaven met in regular session and held a public hearing on Monday, May 2, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Dr. Charles O. Boyette called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Albert Baker, George R. Ebron, Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem; Cynthia M. Heath, James B. Hodges and Linda E. Wilkerson. Town Manager Tim M. Johnson and Town Clerk Marie J. Adams were also present. Mayor Boyette gave the invocation.

Public Hearing #2 - Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development Application (CDBG-ED)
Mayor Boyette stated that the second of two required public hearings would be held prior to the application for a $265,000 grant to extend infrastructure (water, sewer & electric) services into the Town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Wade Horne, Executive Director of Community Developers of Beaufort-Hyde (CDBH).
Mr. Horne explained that Beaufort Hyde Construction, the proposed panelized housing business would be located on 264 Business. Mr. Horne stated that the purpose of the grant application was to provide the infrastructure to this business. Mr. Horne stated that the grant application was through the North Carolina Department of Commerce (DOC), Economic Development and that the Town would be responsible for receiving the funds and disbursing according to DOC guidelines. Mr. Horne explained that this grant had no matching funds and would not require any funds from the town.

Mayor Boyette called the public hearing to order and asked for any comments from the public at 7:38 P.M. There being no comments from the public Mayor Boyette declared the public hearing closed at 7:39 P.M.

Recognition of Mayor Pro Tem Ebron
Mayor Boyette announced that Councilwoman Wilkerson wanted to recognize Councilman Ebron with a newspaper photograph which she had re-illustrated to make Mr. Ebron to appear to be a skateboarder. Mayor, Council members and the public enjoyed the humorous rendition of Councilman Ebron the Skateboarder.

Adoption of Minutes – Public Hearing/Regular Session and Closed Session
Mayor Boyette announced that the minutes of the April 18, 2005 Regular Session/Public Hearing and Closed Session were open for review and approval. Mayor Boyette stated that some typo-graphical errors were noted in the minutes. Councilman Hodges made the motion to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2005 Regular Session/Public Hearing and Closed Session minutes. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

National Day of Prayer - Proclamation
Mayor Boyette announced that the 54th Annual National Day of Prayer would be held on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 12 noon. Mayor Boyette encouraged the public to attend. Mayor Boyette read the following proclamation.

National Day of Prayer
May 5, 2005
Belhaven, North Carolina

WHEREAS, the year 2005 marks the 54th Annual National Day of Prayer with this year’s theme, “God Shed His Grace on Thee”, and

WHEREAS, civic prayers and national days of prayer have a long history and close identity with our United States of America, and

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court, the United States Congress, State Legislature and the Town of Belhaven, begin each meeting with prayer, and

WHEREAS, the National Day of Prayer is an opportunity for Americans of all faiths to join in united prayer to acknowledge our dependence on God, to give thanks for blessings received, to request healing for wounds endured, and to ask God to guide our leaders and bring wholeness and unity to all states and all citizens, and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that Belhaven and all her people be enjoined in a day of prayer to give thanks and to seek strengthening of religious and moral values.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dr. Charles O. Boyette, Mayor of Belhaven do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 5, 2005, to be designated as

A DAY OF PRAYER IN BELHAVEN

Proclaimed this the 2nd day of May, 2005.
Dr. Charles O. Boyette, Mayor

Church Women United Request Concerning the Old “Latham” Cemetery on Old County Road
Mayor Boyette stated that the Town had received a request from “Church Women United” concerning the clean up, upkeep and ownership of Latham Cemetery. Mayor Boyette recognized Ms. Alma Marie Whitaker representing Church Women United (CWU). Ms. Whitaker stated that the condition of the cemetery was in poor condition and could not be mowed in the condition it was presently in. Ms. Whitaker explained that back in 1998-1999 the inmates from Hyde County Correctional Institute had removed large trees and vines but it was then not in a condition to be mowed. Ms. Whitaker stated that the Town owned this cemetery at one time. Ms. Whitaker informed the Council of CWU requests to assist with funding the clean up from Z. Smith Reynolds and Bath Historic Site, as the cemetery dated to 1870, and no funds were available. Ms. Whitaker stated that she had been directed to contact Representative Williams and Senator Basnight to inquire if funds were available. Ms. Whitaker stated that the goal of CWU was to have the cemetery cleaned to a mowable condition, have the low areas filled and to deed to the town for upkeep (mowing). Town Manager Johnson stated that this would be a continued maintenance expense as no funds could be generated from the cemetery as there were no additional plots to sell.

There was much discussion concerning former ownership of the cemetery and possible ways in which the town could assist CWU. Mayor Boyette with the consensus of the Council stated that he would assist CWU with contacting state officials to ascertain the possibility of a special appropriation, asked Mr. Horne with CDBH to search for possible grants – Mr. Horne agreed with assistance from CDBH’s grant writer Ms. Jessica String.

Councilman Baker asked if CWU wanted to deed the cemetery to the town. Ms. Whitaker stated that they did because CWU wanted to insure that the property would always be maintained. The consensus of the Council was to accept the Latham Cemetery after it was cleaned and ready for mowing.

Pungo District Hospital Foundation – Request for Sailboat Regatta
Mayor Boyette stated that Pungo District Hospital Foundation was again sponsoring the Pirates on the Pungo Sailboat Regatta as a fundraising activity June 17-18, 2005. Mayor Boyette stated that the foundation coordinator, Mrs. Sandra Andrews requested use of the former Belhaven Fish & Oyster property, which the town owns, for set up and spectators for the lucky ducky contest and use of trash barrels for this event. Mayor Boyette stated that Ms. Andrews’ request also included the hanging of a banner advertising this event over Main Street near Railroad Street. Councilman Hodges made the motion to approve the request as submitted. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Budget Amendment #7 2004/2005 – 2005 Ford Explorer
Mayor Boyette stated that a budget amendment was needed for the purchase of a new vehicle for the Town Manager, since the town vehicle was totaled while parked. Councilman Hodges made the motion to increase revenue account 10-399-000 (Fund Balance Appropriated) by $2,523 from $324,439 to $326,962 and increase revenue account 10-335-006 (Miscellaneous Revenue-Insurance Reimbursement & Proceeds) by $4,707 from 0 to $4,707 and increase expenditure account 10-420-074 (Capital Outlay-Equipment) by $7,230 from $15,000 to $22,230. Councilman Hodges seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development (CDBG-ED) Grant Resolution and Policies
Mayor Boyette stated resolutions and policies needed to be adopted by the Town in order to submit an application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce (DOC) for the community development block grant – economic development (CDBG-ED) funds. Mayor Boyette reminded the public that this grant application was for the infrastructure of water, sewer and electric on 264 Business for the proposed Beaufort-Hyde Construction (panelized housing business). Mayor Boyette stated that the second required public hearing had been held earlier and the town was willing to act as the pass-through for the grant. Town Manager Johnson stated that the town does assume responsibility for compliance of grant guideline and policies. Town Manager Johnson did call attention to the Assessment Policy Item #4 by summarizing that any revenue generated by the policy within a period of five years would be returned to the CDBG Program. Town Manager Johnson further explained that should area residents want to connect to the sewer then they would be charged an amount figured by property footage that would be paid back to the CDBG program. Town Manager Johnson stated that this grant did not require any matching monies from the Town. Mayor Boyette read the resolution of support. Councilman Baker made the motion to adopt the resolution and policies and that the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute all necessary paperwork on behalf of the Town of Belhaven. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Boyette made the following comments: 1) Spoke with Mr. Keith Walsh, builder of the new post office, who stated that the new facility should open on May 23; 2) Mayor Boyette stated that he also emphasized the importance to Mr. Walsh to have a second route to the shopping center – preferably through his property adjacent to the new post office site; 3) Reported that Mr. Bob Holz a Belhaven representative for one of the Department of Transportation (DOT) advisory boards, had informed the Council at their last meeting of the DOT’s delay in bridge construction and roadway improvements which removed the 4-laning of 264 from Douglas Cross-Roads to Belhaven. Mayor Boyette stated that these roadway improvements were important to Belhaven and that the Beaufort County Economic Development Commission (BCEDC) were involved and will show support of these roadway improvements including the new Hwy 17 as first priority. 4) Belhaven Administration has completed the necessary paperwork to solicit military participation in the July 4th celebration.

Miscellaneous – Widening Old County Road/Improvements in Front of Post Office
Councilman Baker questioned if road improvements would be made on Old County Road in front of the new post office. Town Manager Johnson stated that the road will need some improvement with widening and that sidewalk access would need to be reviewed as the sidewalk is on the opposite side of the street and a ditch would need to be crossed to get to the post office.

Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following: 1) Mr. Sport Sawyer, Recreation Director on a part-time basis for twelve years had resigned due to obligations with the head football coaching position he holds. Town Manager Johnson stated that Mr. Harold Nixon had been hired to fill the recreation director’s position. 2) Had received confirmation from the Rural Center of the $300,000 grant and for the $1.5 million loan

Budget Workshop and Public Hearing
Town Manager Johnson stated that the Town Council needed to set a budget workshop and Public Hearing for an application of some monies for low to moderate income for Hurricane Isabel monies. Following some discussion, Councilman Baker made the motion to hold a budget workshop on Monday, May 9, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Councilman Hodges made the motion to set a public hearing on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall for the application of a Community Development Block Grant for Hurricane Isabel for low to moderate income families. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Citizens Comments
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Bob Holz, resident of Water Street. Mr. Holz stated that paving preparations had begun on Water Street. Mr. Holz complained that the preparations of paving had blown dirt on his home which had just been power washed. Mr. Holz also stated that a neighbor, Mr. Les Porter had vehicles which were parked near the shoulder of the street which were plastered with dirt and small pebbles from the street and received damage. Town Manager Johnson stated that if the vehicles received damage then the property owners should contact S.T. Wooten Corporation concerning damages. Mr. Holz also explained that Mr. Swords, a property owner on Water Street had just cleaned a drainage ditch and it was filled by the scraping of the shoulders of the street. Mr. Holz pleaded that the Town staff notify residents of any proposed work in the respective neighborhoods. Mayor Boyette thanked Mr. Holz for this suggestion.

Mr. Jules Purvis, resident of Lamont Street, complimented the fire department on their recent training in which they burned two dilapidated homes in his neighborhood. Mr. Purvis stated that the firemen took much care as not to damage adjoining property.

Councilwoman Heath suggested that Belhaven sponsor a recognition day for volunteers. Town Manager Johnson stated that Town Clerk Adams could check with the City of Washington to ascertain how they handle this type of recognition.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilman Hodges made the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M.