Princeton board says no to Masonic cornerstone
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on June 6, 2006 1:46 PM
PRINCETON -- The new Princeton Town Hall will not have a Masonic cornerstone, but it will have an automated teller machine.
The Princeton Town Board made those unanimous decisions at Monday night's meeting in the Community Building.
Leaders of the St. Patrick's Masonic Lodge of Princeton had asked to place a Masonic cornerstone in the new building on West Dr. Donnie Jones Boulevard. Jesse Worley, the lodge's senior warden, gave a presentation on Masonry and its historical connections.
But former town commissioner Larry Withrow suggested that the board should not accept the request, because "if you approve it, you'll open a can of worms" with similar requests from other organizations. Commissioner Walter A. Martin Jr. made a motion to deny the request. Billy Sutton seconded the motion.
After the four-man board turned down the request, Commissioner Eddie Haddock's motion to have a cornerstone with a time capsule and a motion to hold a celebration was accepted unanimously.
As for the teller machine, Rains explained that the State Employees Credit Union ATM would be on the right side of the new Town Hall, expected to be completed in October. The credit union agreed to pay $100 a month for the first three years and $125 a month thereafter. A credit union spokesman from Smithfield presented a request for the machine May 1, saying it would cost the credit union $70,000 to install. But the board tabled any action until Monday. Martin's motion was approved unanimously.
In other business, a grand opening for the Ray M. Floors Community Park will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. After the ceremony, games and refreshments will be available.
Also, the board agreed to rezone six lots on West Dr. Donnie Jones Boulevard from light industrial to highway commercial. Friendswood LLC, the developer of the Princeton Commons industrial park, asked that the property be rezoned.
Police Chief Eddie Lewis received a plaque of appreciation from outgoing Officer Steve Little, who will become chief of the Wilsons Mills department. Lewis also introduced Steven Anderson as Princeton's newest officer. Lewis said he will act on numerous complaints about kids playing basketball in the streets. Martin suggested that parents should be warned once and then offenders will be ticketed.