Lake Santeetlah – Perhaps the most newsworthy event to come out of the town council meeting on Oct. 15 happened after closed session.
Councilman Roger Carlton read a resolution of intent at the end of the meeting to consider an ordinance that would amend the town’s charter allowing the number of council members to be reduced from five to three. The only two council members present Tuesday were Carlton and Keith Predmore, as former council members Patrick O’Donovan and Mary Williams each resigned in a three-day span earlier this month.
The public hearing for the ordinance will be at a special meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, just one day before a regularly scheduled meeting. The next meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 18.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting:
* Jackson Townson spoke during public comment about emergency connections being offline due to a fiber-line cut the night of Oct. 17. Townson pushed for people to reach out to representatives about the error, suggesting that a good backup measure would be to purchase CB radios.
* Mayor Jim Hager discussed the rising issue of kudzu in the township, listing several properties that are affected. Those in attendance agreed to help compile a list of properties that are being overtaken by the vine. Council members agreed to have county extension agent Randy Collins discuss avenues of action to curb the problem.
* The town agreed to donate $500 to the Smoky Mountain Foundation, which has taken over for the Yuletide Helpers program that provides Christmas for children and family in the county.
* Town Administrator Kim Matheson announced a total amount of $10,012.26 in taxes collected for September.