Newbern board switches sludge contractor, reorganizes Depot Days committee

The Newbern Board of Mayor and Aldermen held a called meeting on Tuesday night before their regular meeting.

The only item on the agenda of the called meeting was the rezoning of the property of David and Kim Leggett on Williams Street in Newbern. The Leggetts own a residential property there and wanted it rezoned commercially so they could open a business called Clementine's. They would serve ice cream, sandwiches and soup and play host to such events as birthdays and weddings. The vote passed unanimously in both the called meeting and the regular meeting to have the property rezoned.

During the regular meeting, city of Newbern Utilities Office Manager Rosalind Green said the city had been using Barker Brothers out of Union City to haul the city's sludge. However, escalating costs made them decide to seek out bids for the job.

The two bids they received were from Barker Bros. and Allen Industrial Waste. Barker Bros. is currently delivering a 30-cubic-yard open-top container, but will be switching to a 20-cubic-yard container. The new container will have a delivery fee of $212.50 and they will charge $27.89 per ton.

Allen Industrial Waste would have a 30-cubic-yard container delivered at $185 and charge $27.50 per ton.

"We are making a recommendation that we change to Allen Industrial Waste because of it being a cheaper rate," said Green.

The motion passed unanimously to have Allen industrial Waste haul the sludge.

Next, Mayor K.W. Dennis said the board had not reached a decision on which company would be contracted to run the wastewater treatment plant. The current company running the plant is Severn Trent Services.

City Reporter Jason Roberts said they had three bids, but were formulating questions to have answered before presenting the bids to the board. Dennison said this is a $500,000-a-year project and all three bids were different.

Alderman Bill Parks asked if the city could oversee the plant. Dennison said they did a study on it, but it was not cost effective. Green added they could not do it and stay state compliant.

Next, on the agenda was a new resolution providing for reorganization of the Newbern Depot Days Committee. The resolution states the city of Newbern will oversee the funding and organization of the work of the Newbern Depot Days Committee. Also, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will assume all control and authority for the work of the committee and the city recorder will handle the accounting of the money raised and received by the committee.

The resolution passed by a unanimous vote.

The next item before the board was an amendment to the city's budget. Roberts said the city applied for a park grant (of matching funds) and didn't know during application time if they would receive it or not. The city has currently received the funds, so the budget needed to be amended.

As the vote to approve the amendment was about to take place, Vice Mayor Kathy Clements protested, saying she didn't know they had received grant money.

"I understand we've got to adjust the budget," said Clements. "I'm just not understanding how all of this arrived in town and we've got committees that work with the recreation department. And I have been working with the Easter egg hunt for four years to make money for parks and recreation equipment and didn't have a say-so about it."

Parks and Recreation Supervisor Dan Post said that Clements wasn't at the meeting the night the board voted on the matter.

Clements then said she had a problem with a sign by one of the playgrounds that refers to a grant project and has December 2008 and the names of the old aldermen written on it.

Post said that sign pertains to a forestry grant and there are no signs up concerning this current grant. He also stated a new sign reflecting the current mayor and board could not be erected until the grant is finished.

Clements then asked what happened to the old playground equipment at the ballpark.

Post said some was thrown away and one of the city workers took another part. He said Trimble was going to take it but changed their mind. Post said the park at Oakview is 90 percent finished and the one on Nora Drive is 75 percent complete.

Post noted the equipment had to be handicap accessible and there was no way to put it under the trees.

Clements then asked if the sign would be corrected.

Post said there is no sign up that was connected to the current grant other than one stating what they are doing.

"The date needs changing or the names need fixing," said Clements.

Dennison said the sign was ordered in October, prior to the November elections.

There was some confusion among the members what the sign actually said.

"Sign or no sign, the important thing is we're getting playground equipment for the kids," said Alderman Chris Odom. "It's new equipment, I'm sure it's safe equipment, it's up to code. I could care less about the sign."

Dennison said when the grant is completed a new sign will go up reflecting the new board.

The motion to approve the amendment to the budget passed by a unanimous vote.

Randy Gregory with Severn Trent Services gave a report on the water treatment plant. He said the plant was running well except for a low pH problem during the Good Friday holiday. The problem possibly occurred by the Jimmy Dean plant lowering their lagoons. Gregory said the pH was brought back up with no problem.

Next, Roberts said he and Street Department Supervisor Steve Dodds went out on Monday and took pictures of curbside infractions. Roberts has 74 infractions on his desk that are ready to be mailed to the violators of the curbside ordinance. According to the ordinance, the 30-day notice is the only requirement the city has to give violators of the ordinance.

The fine is a maximum of $50 per day per offense.

Green mentioned that TVA made notification they would have a 4 percent decrease in rates.

"It will bring our rates to a little bit more than they were this time last July," said Green. The changes will now be monthly instead of quarterly.

Green needed action from the board because she said she wouldn't have time to come before the board, each time, for rate approval.

The motion to allow Green and Dennison to make the adjustment to the customer's bill and advise the board at the next meeting passed unanimously.

Alderman Robert Hart informed Water and Sewage Supervisor Casey King of odor complaints at First Citizens Bank. King said they are looking into putting in a flapper valve, but it has its drawbacks.

During Dennison's mayor report he mentioned the Grand Federation Woman's Club's donation of $5,000 for playground equipment, saying it was greatly appreciated.