Newbern Board OKs street acceptance of several subdivisions

The Newbern Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the city's street acceptance of a number of subdivisions during their meeting on Tuesday evening.

Before the regular meeting was held, a called meeting took place for the public to discuss any issue they had with the street acceptance or a rezoning request for a property on Nora Drive, but none showed up.

The city was under the assumption that all streets automatically became the city's after a year, but they were told by the state planner they had to formally adopt the streets.

The streets in question were within the Gray Stone subdivision, Pine Hill subdivision, Church Grove subdivision and Crowne Point subdivision. However, the entrance to Crowne Point would be excluded from the city's responsibility.

During last month's meeting, alderman Bill Parks suggested the city should take care of the entrance. Parks is a co-developer of the subdivision along with his brother. The first reading of the ordinance to accept the streets was approved by all of the aldermen except Parks. However, on Tuesday evening they all voted in favor of acceptance, including Parks.

The board also voted to approve the rezoning of a property on Nora Drive to a multi-family dwelling. The lot is adjacent to another property that already has apartments on it. The owner of the property, Rob Hammond, was asking that it be changed after someone showed interest in purchasing it.

The board also approved a bid of $89,974 to start Phase II of the city's sewer rehabilitation program. The winning bid came from Insituform, which was also the lowest bidder. The bid was above what was left in the city's grant budget of $47,619. Newbern Utilities Office Manager Rosalind Green asked the board to approve the difference in order to get the bid.

"Because the price is so low and it's such a good price we feel like we need to accept this low bid," said Green.

She said she did not feel they would be able to get this price again.

The money will come from the Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) account with money from a past electrical rate increase.

Insituform, from Missouri, is currently the winning contractor for Phase I of the program, installing their cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology, which they originally created. They will begin their work on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Water and sewer department supervisor Casey King said Insituform will begin on Wheatley Drive and invited members of the board to come and see the work.

"It's going to be something to see," said King.

Green also announced that Newbern's electrical rates would be decreased this month.

Next, Janice Peevyhouse with the Newbern City Library announced the library would celebrate their 40-year anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 1-3 p.m.

She also said the library has free wi-fi service and has come a long way.

"If you haven't been to the library lately you have really been missing a lot," said Peevyhouse.

Next, the board approved a resolution to sell various vehicles the city has accumulated over the past years. These vehicles include out-of-service police cars, seized vehicles and out-of-service city trucks.

Newbern Public Works Director Sandy Hill said Ford Construction had completed paving and the street department was on time on their curbside service.

Mayor KW Dennison said a few residents had asked if they had to rake their leaves during curbside service time. He said residents could rake leaves at any time.

Hill said residents are encouraged to keep the leaves on the sidewalk and not rake them into the street. Dennison said they should also keep limbs and sticks out of the leaves.

During department reports, a Veteran's Management Services representative said the wastewater plant was converted to bleach, which he said was safer.

Dan Post, recreation department supervisor said the children responsible for graffiti at the new playground were in the process of cleaning it up. They were taken to court and some of the children will come and apologize for their actions.

During Dennison's mayor report, he said the new McDonald's opened Tuesday morning and had a good turnout with most of the aldermen in attendance.

"We sure are glad to see them opened up," said Dennsion.