Top finance officer candidate declines offer
Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Board of Aldermen’s pick for finance officer turned down the job offer.
The board met in closed session during its Oct. 4 meeting to go over candidates for the job left vacant with the “releasing” of Sonya Webster amid a restructuring of the job in July.
After deciding on a candidate and extending an offer, the board’s choice for the job turned down the offer on Friday, Mayor Shaun Adams told The Graham Star.
Town Finance Director Sonya Webster was “released” by the Robbinsville Board of Aldermen on July 14, during a special-called meeting at Town Hall.
According to officials, the decision to release Webster was made in a motion made by Alderman Kenneth Hyde and seconded by Alderman Debbie Beasley, with Alderman Brian Johnson casting the third and final vote.
Mayor Shaun Adams did not vote.
The decision was effective immediately. No reason was given for the dismissal, although the board said there will be restructuring of Town Hall staff.
Deputy Town Clerk Shari Birchfield has been filling the seat pending hiring of a new finance officer.
Other news and notes
* Robbinsville will be applying for a grant up to $2.2 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission for water system improvements.
In a plan presented by Joe Storrow of McGill Associates – which advices the town on infrastructure – the grant would pay for 1,150 automatic water meters, 500 water service assemblies, two test wells to monitor for groundwater pollution, and two new wells to supplement the town’s water supply.
The town had hoped to use the money to bring an offline water facility back into service, but $2.2 million would have fallen well short of that project. Storrow said he will continue to look for funding sources for that project.
* The Board of Aldermen postponed renewal of a $25,000 agreement with American Tank Maintenance to paint and maintain the town’s drinking water tanks after Scott Icenhower – a Robbinsville contractor who said he can do a better job for less money – challenged the contract.
* Kenny Wheeler, owner of Wheeler’s Performance on Tapoco Road, has made an offer to buy the old Town Hall building on North Main Street. Terms of the offer were not disclosed, and Town Hall will have to solicit upset bids before considering any offers.
Wheeler wants to open a bicycle and pinball repair shop in the old Town Hall building.
* The board issued a letter of support to Bonnie Price, who wants to start a saddle club in Robbinsville that she said would be an important recreation amenity for the community.
Price plans to make another presentation before the Graham County Board of Commissioners at its Oct. 18 meeting.
The nearest saddle club arenas are in Bryson City, Franklin, Ranger, Sweetwater, Tenn., and Blairsville, Ga.
Graham County had a similar facility until the 1990s.
“I’m really excited, because I think it could happen,” she said.
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