Roachdale officials ponder stormwater fee for residents

Roachdale Town Council members Bill Long, Jack Jones and Barbara Stout debated on adding a stormwater fee to residents' bills during the town meeting Tuesday evening.

Town Clerk Martha Louk asked the board to consider writing an ordinance so monies could be collected through a monthly fee of a few dollars per customer and would then be available to pay for repairs.

"Right now I have to take money out of the gas, water and sewer funds to make repairs because there is no money set aside to cover it," said Louk.

Board President Long was not in favor of attaching a fee to bills. Jones and Stout felt now was the best time to do so if necessary.

"If we are going to do it, now is the time since people aren't going to be using much gas this time of year. If we need it, we should get it done," claimed Stout.

Jones suggested setting the amount at $3; Stout thought $2 would suffice. After much discussion the board agreed to have an ordinance prepared for the next meeting for review.

"We'll look at what the fees should be then," said Long, who added, "I just want you to know I am not in favor of doing this."

Town Marshal Mike MaHoy reported to the board that the old police car had been redone and was back in service.

"I just want everyone to understand that it's not a new car. It's the old 2000 and has 150,000 miles on it," reported MaHoy.

MaHoy also asked council members to set a time to review the town ordinance book and determine values so they could be enforced. The council agreed to set a roundtable meeting and go over pertinent ordinances in the near future. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Council heard from Joanne Miller who was representing Roachdale's Delta Theta Tau Philanthropic Sorority concerning making residents proud of where they live.

Miller asked for the council's support in doing something for the town.

"We want residents to take pride in where they live," stated Miller.

The group wanted to help find ways to clean up the town, make it more attractive for the residents who live there and to draw new permanent residents to town.

The group is sending invitations to every organization and business in town to come to a meeting at the Presbyterian Church on May 8 to discuss ways to bring pride to the town. The sorority is even having a "Pride" logo made.

Miller also told the board that the sorority already does several things to help improve the quality of life in Roachdale including planting flowers in the downtown area and picking up trash along roadways.

Miller asked questions about allowing trailers in town and complimented several ones, which were well maintained. She wanted to know how to take care of some of the abandoned houses in town and to prevent another gas station from opening.

Council members were very supportive of the project.

"I'll be at the meeting," declared Stout.

In other business Council members:

*Approved sending Louk to the annual State board of Accounts School.

*Approved sponsoring sending at least one deputy to Town Marshal training in September. The training is paid for by the state.

*Heard from Greg Poole that a Consumer Confidence Report was nearly completed.

The Roachdale Town Council meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at town hall.