Commissioners consider planning board picks

The Spring Hope Board of Commissioners voted to table Monday’s planning board reappointments in order to resolve questions around the application process.

Additionally, Mayor Kyle Pritchard expressed interest in becoming a board member.

“I’d love to serve any way I can,” Pritchard said of the notion. “Absolutely.”

As presently constructed, the board is composed of five members, with two alternates eligible for appointment.

Three full members must reside in town, and one full member — who resides within the county — may be appointed from a town advisory board.

If one cannot be found, a resident of Spring Hope will be selected for duty.

Additionally, an active business or property owner who resides within the county is eligible for appointment — if none is found, however, a Spring Hope resident will be selected.

Lastly, per the town’s Code of Ordinances, a full member nominated by the Spring Hope Board of Commissioners — and appointed by the Nash County Board of Commissioners — must reside in the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction  unless population estimates dictate otherwise.

Each appointed member will serve a three-year term.

BUDGET AMENDMENT

Commissioners unanimously approved a general fund item — Budget Amendment 2025-01 — after commentary from Town Manager Andrew DeIonno.

“That’s basically pulling forward the money that we stranded in last fiscal year,” he noted, explaining the adjustment reflects spending “for the work to move the caboose that was acquired, to provide storage for the railroad depot and to do the work on the depot.”

The board also bantered about this year’s Spring Hope National Pumpkin Festival, unanimously approving motions to accept an application from the Chamber of Commerce.

POLICE, CODE ENFORCEMENT

In his report to commissioners, Spring Hope Chief of Police Nate Gant listed six incidents, 113 total calls for service, 93 traffic stops and 58 security checks for the month of July.

Additionally, town police officers responded to six traffic crashes, six domestic disputes and four distutbances. Gant reported 15 investigations for the month with 14 cases cleared.

Gant announced the hiring of two new officers — Kevin Raper, who will replace Dalyn Follmer, and Ruben de los Santos, who is completing training.

Code enforcement officer Shawn Lucas reported 43 citations written in July, with 10 sent to the town contractor for abatement.

DeIonno mentioned the inaugural Spring Hope Sweep — a joint cleanup planned by the Downtown Development Board and the Chamber of Commerce — slated for Sept. 14.

A rain date of Sept. 21 was also noted.

Interested parties can learn more by visiting springhope.net/downtown. A waiver is required for participation.

STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioners discussed improvements for Virginia Street, a distressed run of pavement between U.S. Highway 64 Alternate and West Branch Street.

“I believe Virginia Street is slated to get a water main,” DeIonno said of rebuilding the area. “So we’re holding off on doing any significant work down there until that gets actually completed … Virginia Street is on the short list for pavement improvements.”

Drawings and specifications for Phase 2 of the project have been submitted to Public Water Supply, with bidding to open upon approval.

“Turnaround is — what we’re hearing from the engineers is — about 30-60 days, closer to 60,” DeIonno said.

VARIANCE APPROVED

The town Board of Adjustments heard a double-variance request from resident Terry Alford, who asked that an existing shared driveway between 502 and 504 N. Pine St. be allowed to remain intact — a motion that was denied.

Board members unanimously approved Alford’s second request, a size variance — from 80 feet to 65 feet — at 504 N. Pine St.

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