County hears report on annual clean-up initiative

Volunteers picked up a total of 3,032 pounds of trash during "Peachy Clean Day," sponsored by the City of Lincolnton and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

A report on the annual clean-up initiative was given to the county commissioners at their regular meeting, held Thursday, May 8.

According to Jim Butler, who spearheaded the project for the county, "Fifty-eight volunteers collected 110 bags of trash; picked up nine tires, two rugs, one couch, two chairs, and 30 pounds of miscellaneous refuse; and cleaned up an illegal dumping site on Midway Church Road."

He further indicated that local residents spent 290 volunteer hours scouring 34 miles of roadway during the day.

Among the groups taking part in the event were White Rock Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Lincolnton United Methodist Church, Skills USA at LCHS, the Georgia Power Company, and the communities of Holiday Estates, Midway, and Double Branches.

In closing, Butler thanked all those who took part in the event. "These volunteers definitely made a huge impact on the aesthetics of Lincoln County and their efforts are greatly appreciated."

In his remarks, Commission Chairman Walker Norman commended Butler for his diligence and dedication.

In other business, the commission:

.. Heard the Department of Public Safety Report given by Director Doss, who said the ambulance and fire/rescue services responded to 126 calls for emergency assistance during the month of April. Call volume was up eight calls when compared to April of 2007.

Concerning the E-911 center, operators handled 837 emergency calls last month, monitored 6,672 radio transmissions, and dispatched a total of 542 public safely, law enforcement, and fire calls.

.. Heard the Department of Public Works Report given by Directory Roby Seymour, who said his office billed 1,337 water customers and 417 "availability" customers last month for a total of $44,417.64.

Concerning roads, the director reported that his staff has been busy hauling crush-and-run, top soil, and sand; working on signage; patching potholes; cleaning up the beach area at Eddie Fletcher Park; motor grading; clearing trees and limbs off of rights-of-way; bush-hogging; cleaning out ditches; and spreading dirt at the site of the new gymnasium in the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex.

It was likewise reported that construction workers will begin pouring the concrete slab for the gym at 3:30 a.m. so they can complete the job in one day.

.. Heard the Recreation Department Report given by Kathie Davis, who indicated that 15 teams and approximately 450 people attended the annual Lincoln County American Cancer Society Relay for Life held April 25 and 26 at the complex.

She went on to report that registration for adult softball is currently underway, with the season set to be- gin in June.

In closing, Director Davis noted that the pool at the recreation complex will open on Tuesday, May 27. Hours of operation are 12 noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $2.

.. Heard the Finance Department Report given by Director Traci Bussey.

.. Heard the Planning and Zoning Department Report given by Director Meg Burg, who said her office issued nine business licenses during the month of April for a total of $456.

Regarding code enforcement, 59 building permits were issued last month for a total of $3,321, and 98 building inspections were conducted.

.. Voted to grant a rezoning extension request for 49 acres of land owned by Lamar and Sandra Wade on the McCormick Highway. The Lamars are asking that the property be rezoned to accommodate a Planned Unit Development (PUD) that will be known as The Village at Soap Creek.

Commissioner Mike Hawes abstained from the vote because he has had a working relationship with the Lamars.

.. Voted to grant a request from the developers of the Serenity Pointe subdivision for a cash escrow reduction in the amount of $10,260, which will leave a balance of $1,943,327.08 in the account.

.. Voted to adopt proposed changes to the Lincoln County Building Code. The changes will serve to bring the county's current ordinance in line with new state rules and regulations.

"There are so many things we have no control over," explained Chairman Norman. "If we do not adopt these changes at the local level, general contractors will be unable to get a state license."

.. Adopted a resolution to authorize the reimbursement of certain expenses prior to the bond validation process for the sewer expansion project in the Blackjack Community.

.. Voted to grant a request from the Lincoln County Development Authority to set aside $1,262.50 to purchase one fourth of a full-page ad in a regional business magazine. The total cost of the ad, which will be used as a business and industrial marketing tool for the county, is $5,050.

Other sponsors are hopefully forthcoming.

The funds for the ad will be taken from the county's Hotel/Motel Tax Account.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners will be held Thursday, June 12, at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at the Lincoln County Courthouse.