W. TERRY SMITH
Tarboro Town Council Monday night approved $1.125 million in grants for Sara Lee Bakery, which is the midst of an $11 million expansion that will add 45 new full-time jobs.
“It’s all about jobs,” Town Manager Sam Noble said. “We need more Sara Lee’s and more jobs.”
The first agreement was between the town and the state Department of Commerce for a $675,000 grant to assist in providing a generator for the bakery on U.S. 258. It is a Community Development Block Grant.
“Everyone involved in the development of the town’s successful application is to be congratulated,” states a letter to Mayor Donald Morris from the Department of Commerce. “We commend the town for its economic development efforts and look forward to working with you on the implementation of the project.”
The second agreement was a $450,000 Rural Center grant to the town to provide a generator for the bakery.
In other business, council:
• Decided by a 6-2 vote to leave the seating of council members, and the town attorney, clerk and manager the same as has been for about 28 years. Councilwoman Candis Owens said some constituents said having to face the town manager was intimidating. Owens and Councilman Melvin Muhammad cast the nay votes.
• Entered into an agreement with the Edgecombe County Extension Service to permit the Extension Service to use the town’s greenhouse at the E.L. Roberson Center to provide educational programs from May to October, especially senior citizens.
The programs will be free to town residents, but county residents will have to pay a fee.
“This is a win-win,” Noble said. “We weren’t utilizing the greenhouse.”
The Extension Service will apply for grant funds to upgrade the greenhouse.
• Donated about 842 square feet in back of the Colonial Theater to the Edgecombe County Veterans Museum. The veterans group wants to use the land in its restoration of the theater, which is owned by the museum. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Joe Spiers of the museum board thanked the council for it continued support.
• Agreed to cosponsor the Community Outreach 5K for the third straight year. The town provides police support and traffic control.
• Approved a conditional use permit for Verizon Wireless to erect a 180-foot communications tower at 1190 Sewer Plant Road between the intersection of U.S. 258 and U.S. 64.
• Approved an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance “to mesh with state statues” regarding municipal planning boards.
• Appointed Juanita Hyman, recommended by Councilman Taro Knight, to fill an unexpired term on the town Planning and Zoning Board.
• Approved a budget amendment. Private donations for the town’s 250th birthday celebration have exceeded the amount budgeted by $3,000 so an amendment was necessary in order to spend the money.
• Approved the Tax Collector’s report on unpaid 2009 taxes that are liens on real property.
• Ordered the Tax Collector to advertise 2009 taxes that are liens on real property once a week for two weeks.
• Adopted a resolution that shows a portion of Kent Drive is not a future street on the town’s street plan. Austin Heirs Inc. had dedicated to the public the road, which was never constructed or accepted by the town. The successors of Austin Heirs are withdrawing the dedication.
• Designated the public works director (David Cashwell) as the official authorized to sign all papers in connection with the mosquito programs.
Cashwell said in previous years the town had budgeted $8,000 for mosquito control. Last year the town received $1,286 from the state.
