City acts on routine items of business; hears report from Chief Wengrow

Routine business was the order of the day at the regular meeting of the Lincolnton City Council held Monday, December 4, at City Hall.

During the meeting, the council:

Heard the Water Department Report given by Superintendent Stanley Parton who noted that there was a slight increase in total water production for the month of November. Production climbed from 12.1 mg (million gallons) in October to 12.26 mg in November.

The superintendent went on to say that the "old" basin at the James Allen Reed Water Treatment Plant needs to be repaired. "We also need to install a ventilation system in our new raw water station before hot weather comes again. Last summer, we had a lot of problems because the electrical starters and the pump motors got too hot."

Heard a request made by Michael Wengrow, chief of the Lincolnton VFD, that the city provide DSL Internet service for the fire station.

"All of our fire reports have to be done on-line," explained the chief. "Right now, we have one person whose boss allows him to file the reports at work. If we had the Internet, this would take the burden off of him and more than one person could do this job.

"Also, a majority of our training could be done using the Internet," Wengrow said.

At the conclusion of the discussion, it was decided that Jim Justice, chief of the Lincolnton Police Department, will obtain prices on both wireless and DSL services for the fire department.

In other items of information, Chief Wengrow reported that the generator in one of the firetrucks is in need of repair. "Someone is looking at it now - once we get a definite price, we'll let the council know."

Approximately 20 people are currently serving the city as volunteer fireman.

Voted to enter into executive session to discuss fire department personnel.

Upon returning to regular session, the council voted to approve Chris Reid as the assistant chief training officer and Matt Ivey as the assistant chief administrator. The men will be evaluated by Wengrow after a sixthmonth probation period.

Voted to renew A.B. Beverage's alcoholic beverage license.

Agreed to discuss proposals for the clearing of sewer rights-of-way at the group's regular January meeting.

Heard Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff read a thank-you note from Paul Flanigan for the new drainage grates on Sunrise Drive.

Was informed by the mayor that Mark Montgomery, who lives on Watson Street, has requested that the street be renamed due to the confusion it creates for the postal service. The matter was referred to the Streets and Sanitation Committee for consideration.

Heard the mayor commend the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, Sherman Norman and the city's street department, Jerry Gunby and the community service workers, the police department, the local merchants, and the community at large for making the Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival such a success.

Was reminded by Biggerstaff that "Mayors' Day" will be held in Atlanta January 20-22.

Agreed to discuss a proposal for the collection of delinquent taxes made by Appalachian Mountain Services, Inc. at the January meeting.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, January 8, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.