City discusses building of road to new high school

The annual county-wide clean-up day, sponsored by the City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County Government, is set for Saturday, April 26. Volunteers are asked to meet in the parking lot at the courthouse to receive their assignments as well as trash bags, gloves, etc. The theme for this year's campaign is "For a Cleaner, Greener Georgia." Pictured with the campaign sign are Jim Butler (l), code enforcement officer for the county, and Sherman Norman, superintendent of streets and roads for the city. For more information, call 706-359-5522 or 706- 359-3239.

The construction of a road that will connect Metasville Road to the Washington Highway (Highway 378) and provide access to the new high school, currently under development, was discussed at the regular meeting of the Lincolnton City Council held Monday, April 14.

According to Dr. Randall Edmunds, superintendent of schools, "We have a commitment from the Georgia DOT to fund 60 percent ($355,244) of the cost of the road ($592,073), with the funds to flow through the county's allocation for road work.

"Several years ago, right-of-way deeds were acquired by the city from adjacent property owners," he continued. "We are now requesting that the city council grant quit claim deeds to convey these right-of-way properties to the county to expedite the grant process. The DOT says the county could quit claim the deeds back to the city after the road is completed if the council wants the road to be designated as a city street."

At the conclusion of the meeting, the councilmen voted to enter into executive session to discuss real estate. Upon returning to regular session, they voted to ask the county and the school system to submit a proposal to the city which would include the quit claim deeds and an agreement to transfer the property back to the city once the project has been completed.

In other business, Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff noted that the annual clean-up day, sponsored by the city and Lincoln County Government, will be held Saturday, April 26.

Volunteers are asked to meet in the parking lot at the Lincoln County Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. to receive their assignments. Water, gloves, hand sanitizer, and trash bags will be provided.

"We welcome churches, school groups, businesses - anybody who wants to participate," said the mayor. "We do this every year to spruce things up for the annual Lewis Family Homecoming and Bluegrass Festival at the park. We encourage everybody to come out and help."

Concerning the county, Mayor Biggerstaff said if county residents will pick up trash and place it in a central location, the city will pick it up. "They just need to call City Hall by Friday, April 25, to let us know where the garbage will be."

Those who would like to take part in the annual clean-up initiative are asked to call Jim Butler, code enforcement officer for the county, at 706- 359-5522 or Kay Remsen, city clerk, at 706-359-3239.

In further business, the council:

.. Was informed by Mayor Biggerstaff that the city has applied for a USDA grant to help defray the cost of a new garbage truck.

.. Was informed by Joe Banks, chairman of the zoning board, that John Bussey Smith, one of the pioneers of zoning in the city, had undergone surgery and was in need of prayer.

.. Heard the Zoning Board Report given by Zoning Administrator David Griffin, who said his office issued 11 building permits for a total of $1,317.25 and conducted 11 building inspections during the month of February.

Regarding Lincoln Square, LLC, he noted that as requested, a letter was sent to one of the backers of the project stating that the city will provide water and sewerage to the development once it is built.

If all goes as planned, closing on the new subdivision should take place this week, Griffin said.

The zoning administrator then outlined various code violations handled by his office last month. One of these involved the storage of commercial kitchen appliances under an awning.

"Georgia Law states that the doors must be removed to store appliances in this fashion," said Griffin. "This is a child safety hazard.

"The property owner made a verbal commitment to move the equip- ment, but there is no noticeable evidence that anything has been done at this time," according to the zoning administrator.

.. Voted to grant a variance on property owned by Cox Brothers Builders d/b/a Custom Rentals, LLC on School Street to accommodate the construction of a single-family dwelling.

Under R-1 zoning, the property was too narrow for the house, explained Griffin. "However, the house they plan to build is designed specifically to fit that lot with the proper setbacks."

.. Voted to rezone property on Elam Street, belonging to Jason and Louisa Rickerson, from P-1 (Professional) to R-1 (Residential).

Originally, Lee Builders, Inc. had planned to convert the house into a professional office building, but then sold the property to the Rickersons, who will make their home there.

.. Voted to approve changes to the Water Service Delivery Strategy Map to include 51 acres of county land, added to The Retreat at Lake Thurmond subdivision by Lee Builders, Inc. The motion was made with the stipulation that the city is to receive confirmation in writing from the county as to its position on the issue.

The change will give the city the authority to run water lines to this area of the new subdivision. It has already agreed to provide sewerage services to the development.

"This is one way for the city to take advantage of the growth in the county - this is the city's waterfront," stated Clay Antonakos of Lee Builders.

.. Discussed various sewerage delivery options for The Retreat at Lake Thurmond with Antonakos, who indicated that currently, the developers are planning to install a low-pressure system.

The council then voted to accept the pipe and the easements over the lines contingent on the pipe meeting the specifications laid out by the city's engineering firm, G. Ben Turnipseed Engineers.

Antonakos said, "We want the development to be a success and build a sewerage system that's easy to maintain. We welcome any suggestions."

In further remarks, he indicated that the design plan for the system should be finalized within the next month.

.. Heard the Water Department Report given by Wastewater Superintendent Chris Guin, who said total water production increased slightly during the month of March, climbing from 9.34 million gallons (mg) in February to 9.47 mg in March.

He also informed the council that the EPD has extended its mandate to decrease water production by 10 percent through September of this year.

In other items of business, Guin noted that a test of the city's new portable generator went well. The generator is located at pump station #4, the most troublesome of the city's lift stations.

.. Heard the Police Department Report given by Chief Jim Justice, who said his department received 200 calls for service in February and 258 in March. "Usually the number of calls for assistance increases the closer we get to summer because there's more activity."

In further comments, the chief told the mayor and council that his office made six arrests last month - "everything from aggravated assault with a firearm to theft."

.. Heard a suggestion from Chief Justice that the stop bar at the intersection of Metasville Road and Guillebeau Street be moved up 10 feet to improve visibility.

"If you stop at the stop sign, you can't see back towards the right," said the chief. "It could be a hazard the way it is now."

City workers will also trim the bushes at the location.

.. Heard a request that speed bumps to be placed on First Baptist Street and the Watson Street Extension. The matter was referred to the Police Committee, which was instructed to get prices on speed bumps as well as poll some of the residents living on the two streets as to their feelings about the installation of speed bumps.

.. Heard Chief Justice report that there are two church signs blocking visibility at the intersection of S. Washington Street and Guillebeau Street. The chief will talk with the churches involved and then present his recommendations to the council at its next regular meeting.

.. Asked Chief Justice to investigate the possibility of placing a street light on a vacant lot on Faith Lane.

.. Was informed that Kay Remsen, clerk, and Ginger Dawkins, assistant clerk, had sent out letters that brought in $4,999.84 out of $19,478 owed to the city in delinquent taxes.

The matter was turned over to Chief Justice for further action.

.. Was informed by Mayor Biggerstaff that the Seventh District GMA (Georgia Municipal Association) Spring Listening Session will be held Tuesday, April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Thomson. He encouraged all councilmen to attend.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.