Robbinsville – A non-functioning sewer jet is back in action for the town.
As part of the May 6 Robbinsville Board of Alderman teleconference, Mayor Steve Hooper informed everyone that while the sewer jet has been repaired and is working once again, a $1,672.14 replacement water tank would be needed. Hooper added that town maintenance supervisor Chadd Carpenter had the money in his budget to purchase a tank, and the motion passed unanimously.
Town finance director Sonya Webster also provided the board with several updates, including:
* The town is still bringing in more money than has been spent from both the general fund, and the water and sewer fund. Webster said the town is at 85 percent of its budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year.
* With the town opting to not cut off water and sewer supplies for the immediate future – a move voted on to help out customers during the economic downfall presented by COVID-19 – Webster said if the trend continues, the town will bring in $181,000 less than last year.
* Four town employees have shaved 56.50 hours of comp time of the balance, which have saved the town $1,159.
* Three 4-feet fire hydrants were damaged by lawnmowers in April 2019. The cost of repairing the hydrants is $8,350. Hooper said a letter needed to be sent to the N.C. Department of Transportation for a timeline of repairs, as several requests for repair thus far have been unsuccessful.
The Town also voted to give a pair of employees – J.R. Birchfield and Eddie Colvin – each a $1 raise, which will bring them to $12 per hour.
Alderman Brian “Taco” Johnson advocated for the raises, saying the employees had provided exceptional work, but had only received one raise in the four years they have been employed. The motion passed unanimously.