The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners held departmental work-session with the following departments: Recycling, Public Works, WTP/WWTP, and Engineering. Members of Council present were Mayor J. B. Lawrence, Commissioners Barbara Ball, Terry Lentz, Keith Tester, Rita Wiseman and David Wray. Staff members present were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, and Assistant Town Clerk Sharon Greene.

Before the meetings began, Commissioner Lentz ask that Mr. Hildebran send a letter to The Rocket concerning the sculpture that was presented to the town. Previously, Council decided it should be placed at Broyhill Park, which did not meet with the donor’s approval, so the sculpture was never given to the town. The impression in The Rocket was the Town denied the gift, Mr. Lentz felt this should be corrected.

Mr. Hildebran also let Council know that work-session meetings with the Department of Transportation concerning the road widening were scheduled for May 15 and August 6, 2003.

Town employee insurance rates and carrier were discussed also. Mr. Hildebran informed Council that the Town without any Board objection would continue with their present carrier UNICARE L & H Insurance of North Carolina at a rate increase of approximately 16%, which is lower than the average increase of around 25%.

Council discussed briefly the prospect of purchasing some property from the Clyde Keyes heirs for the Fire and Rescue project.

Off-premise signage was also discussed. Council felt the Planning & Zoning Board should review this section of the sign ordinance and possibly changes could be made.

Council met with Bill Pitts, Recycling Director to discuss his department. It was reaffirmed that the Recycling Department would discontinue picking up aluminum cans and plastic and would only pick up glass and broken down cardboard from area businesses. This and the downsizing of the department from three employees to two would save the town money each year.

Mr. Pitts spoke of his department’s need for a new truck for the upcoming fiscal year. He is comparing prices to present to Council at a later date.

Johnny Lentz, Public Works Director met with Council for discussion of his department. Mr. Lentz requested that Council consider raising the starting wage for garbage collection workers to $8.00 or $8.50 per hour. Council agreed to consider this request during the upcoming budget.

Public Works Director, Mr. Lentz also felt a need to purchase a new sweeper for approximately $25,000 to $30,000 and discontinue the contract the Town has presently. Mr. Lentz felt this would not only save the Town money, but would be more efficient. He also mentioned the purchase of other new equipment for his department for the up-coming fiscal year.

Major projects discussed were the collection of debris the town is still gathering from the winter storm damage. The replacement of some 2-4 inch water lines with 6-8 inch lines was also mentioned, as well as patching roads and fixing curbs damaged this past winter.

Tom McRary, Director of Water/Sewer Plant Operations met with Council for discussion of his department. Mr. McRary informed Council that even with the repairs and replacement of some things in his department, there was still much more that needed to be done in the near future.

A computerized system was also discussed for data storage and monitoring of equipment. It was consensus of all present this would be required within 5 years or less.

The inspection of the high service pumps supplying water to the town was mentioned also, as well as the replacement and rebuilding of these pumps were discussed. Commissioner Tester felt with the importance of the Town’s water system and the repairs and replacements that needed doing, work should start in an expedient manner. Commissioner Wiseman directed Town Engineer Marion Rothrock to check on prices and how long it would take to order a new pump for the water system. She also felt the Town should have a spare pump should a situation occur where one would be needed.

Council discussed a number of issues with Town Engineer Marion Rothrock. Mr. Rothrock felt the sludge return at the WWTP needed to be reworked. Work to the chemical feed areas need to be done too. Installing sewer lines in Laurel Park was discussed and also the testing of sewer lines was mentioned. The Town’s water supply was discussed at length, as well as the placement of another pump station.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Mayor J.B. Lawrence

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Sharon H. Greene, Assistant Town Clerk