March Town Council Meeting Recap

The Butner Town Council convened for its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 7, at Butner Town Hall. The following list includes key takeaways from the meeting.

• Council recognized the dedication and commitment of the Planning Board members, including Beau Whited, Bill Cheek, Lynette Bailey, Mark Pennington, Martin J. Sinicki, Michael McFadden, Ricky Campbell, and Wyvette Thompson, for their contributions to the betterment of the community.
   
• Butner Public Safety has been awarded a 2023 Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $24,249.60 to purchase Mobile Data Computers for the patrol vehicles. The grant requires the equipment to be purchased before receiving the 100% reimbursement. Council approved Budget Amendment 012-2024 to accept a 2023 JAG grant in the amount of $24,249.60 for the purchase of BPS Mobile Data Computers for patrol vehicles.
   
• Council approved RES-24-03-01, a resolution aimed at augmenting an existing capital reserve fund, along with budget amendment 014-2024, which authorizes the transfer of $1.4 million from the General Fund to the Capital Reserve Fund for future capital projects.
   
• Council approved C Street as the preferred route for designing a new sidewalk between Central Ave. and 24th Street. This project includes the design and construction of new sidewalks spanning from 12th to 24th Street, as well as along 24th Street between C and D Streets.
   
• Council authorized the Town Manager and Town Attorney to finalize an updated contract with Headwater Forestry/Tim Harris for forestry consulting services. The Town has had an existing agreement since 2010 with Tim Harris (Headwaters Forestry) to serve as the Town’s consulting forester. Staff is looking to move forward with services necessary for the timber sale (i.e. timber cruise, advertisement, request for bids, sale, supervision of harvesting and replanting, and other associated activities) on town-owned land. The new contract updates the forester’s compensation from 6% to 7% of the timber proceeds and updates the additional consulting forestry services to $90 per hour. No updates to the fees have been provided since the original agreement.
   
• Council approved the suspension of the 'No Alcohol Policy' at Gazebo Park for the following 2024 events: Groovin’ at the Gazebo (Spring), Butner Summer Festival Dance, Butner Summer Festival, and Groovin’ at the Gazebo (Summer).
   
• Council approved RES-24-03-03 to close Central Avenue between D & E Streets on May 27, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the annual Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony, and RES-24-03-04 to close Central Avenue between G Street and A Street on December 7, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the annual Christmas Parade.

A recording of the meeting is available at https://www.youtube.com/live/PL5vrfmv8r4?si=di76bVbzHRXY6g0r for those who were unable to attend. The next Butner Town Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2024.