Fremont Town Board decides to participate in block grant program
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on January 20, 2005 2:07 PM
FREMONT -- The Fremont town board has agreed to participate in a second scattered-site Community Development Block Grant program.
The board made the decision during Tuesday night's monthly meeting at Town Hall. The program will be administered by Wayne County.
The previous scattered-site program ended Dec. 31. The county had deferred administration of the program to Fremont, because it was still working on flood-related issues. Four homes were replaced in Fremont, and another was replaced in Mount Olive.
Fremont had $1,700 left over from the program. Town Administrator Kerry McDuffie said he hoped that the money could be used to pay for part of the application for the new program. However, he was informed that the program was closed Dec. 31 and the money had to be returned to the state.
Sidewalks
The board selected a tan color for the new sidewalks in the first block of East Main Street. The project was part of the $431,000 Town Hall renovation, and it also included new street lamps and underground wiring on the same block. The project is being paid from grants, a low-interest loan and a small town match.
The board agreed to repair sidewalks in several parts of town for safety reasons. McDuffie explained that tree roots had cracked the sidewalks.
At the same time, the board agreed to repair driveways that had been torn up so that the town could repair drainage problems on Chestnut Street.
The money for the sidewalk and driveway repairs will come from state Powell Bill funds.
A citizen also complained about a drainage problem on Hillandale Drive. The town will look into it.
Mowing
The town board agreed to advertise a new mowing contract that will include separate bids for the two cemeteries and everything else. McDuffie said the specifications had been changed on the contract. Danny Tillman had the entire contract last year.
The Police Department also will begin enforcing a junked vehicle ordinance. Chief Ben Reid will get the offending vehicles moved.
"We're trying to improve the looks of the town," McDuffie said.
In other business, the board:
*Changed the date for the town employees' Easter holiday from Friday, 25, to Monday, March 28, because of the Daffodil Festival.
*Appointed Alderman Leon Mooring to represent the town on the ElectriCities board with Aldermen Billy Harvey and Harold Cuddington as alternates.
*Discussed but took no action on replacing the Rev. Robert Langley, who moved out of town, on the Planning Board.
*Discussed a cost management plan for the town's savings but took no action.