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Gamewell to survey residents on new town hall
Edward Terry, Editor Though plans for a new Gamewell town hall have not changed, the town council will seek additional input from residents about the nearly $1 million project. Approximately 30 residents packed into the existing town hall Monday evening, some of whom delivered petitions in opposition to the proposal and others who spoke during a public hearing. Recent town council discussions have centered on the new town hall, in which Lenoir-based Parkway Bank tentatively committed to opening a branch. Some residents and members of council are concerned that Gamewell doesn't need a new town hall or to spend the money. At the end of the three-hour meeting, which also included discussions about the town's sewer system and plans to expand it, the council voted to form a committee with the charge of conducting a survey for additional resident input. The project is included in the 2008-2009 town budget, which was approved last month, but many residents at Monday's meeting feel that the money can be better spent. Nancy Crump, who spoke at Monday's meeting about the need for sewer expansion, opposes spending money on a new town hall until her neighborhood gets the sewer system she said it desperately needs. She was pleased that the council listened to the people and will conduct the survey. "I would want to know what the majority of the people want me to do with that money," Crump said, adding that she's not the only one. "As far as I know, there wasn't a person in there who was in favor of spending that kind of money for building a new town hall." Others expressed similar concern, which led to the creation of the survey committee. Town Attorney Bruce Cannon will be the committee's chairman. Town Manager Mary Carter said the survey likely will focus on the town hall and related issues, but it ultimately will be up to the committee to determine the questions. The last such survey was conducted in 1988. Only one proponent had input at the meeting when Carter read into the record a letter from the Gamewell History Committee, which expressed its support due to the growth and progress that Gamewell is experiencing. In other business, the council: • Heard a presentation by Crump about her concerns over the town's long-range plans for sewer. She said she had polled council members on her own and felt like there were inconsistencies. In the end, she asked the council to confirm or at least clarify its plans to bring sewer to the entire community of more than 3,800 residents. Crump, and other residents in attendance, are concerned that some parts of the town are not being treated fairly with regard to future sewer projects and that there are no plans for additional sewer extensions now that the Cloverdale project is complete. By the end of the presentation, Mayor Jack Roberts said the town is committed to exploring future sewer projects as the money is available and as demand calls for it. Roberts said he was concerned that if too few residents tap on to the sewer system during future expansions it could force the town to impose taxes. • Formed a committee to manage the development of the Gamewell Park, adjacent to the medical center on N.C. 18. Two residents at the meeting volunteered to join the committee.
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