Pine Knoll Shores
COMIVIISSIONERS’ MEETINGS
By Yvette Bannen
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held on April 10 with
six members of the public in attendance. Town Clerk Scott Sherrill was recognized
as the Team Member of the Quarter for his efforts at organizing the Strategic Plan
ning documents as well as posting webinars on the towns website. The consent
agenda was approved, including the appointment of Commissioners Edwards and
Fulcher, Community Appearance Commission member Dominic Baccollo and
Planning Board member Kathy Werle to the Rights of Way Committee.
Town Manager Kramer gave his monthly report on various ongoing projects in
the town. The East-End Stormwater project was wrapped up on April 2, and it was
pressure tested shortly thereafter. Restoration of the grounds at the country club
was under way at the time of the meeting.
Bids were opened for Phase II of the sidewalks and they came in higher than
expected. Additional funds were requested from NCDOT, but nothing is available.
Discussion ensued about rebidding only the Hampton Inn segment; this was ap
proved 4-1, with Commissioner Danehy opposed.
The discussion about the water meters and Carteret-Craven Electric Coopera
tive (CCEC) continues. The two new commissioners on the board will be updated
on the past history of the water company and the current proposal to have the me-
. ters read and billed by the electric company. A full board meeting was scheduled
on April 24 to discuss the different options and costs.
Regarding the Knollwood lot, two phone calls were received for further details
and Town Manager Kramer hopes to have some sealed bids shortly. Finance Of
ficer Anderson reported that the auditor had been in to examine the books and
everything went fine. A report will be forthcoming later.
Commissioner Brodman requested that the Sales and Use Tax discussion be a
continuing agenda item until the issue is resolved. Mayor Jones said that the town
needs to stay on top of the subject, especially because the mainland has more
county commissioner representatives than the beach, which has only one though
there are more housing units and taxpayers on the island than on the mainland
(taking into consideration all condos and single-family homes).
Commissioner Fulcher filed a Heritage Tree application for a hickory tree on
town property and it was approved.
The FY 2014-15 budget was discussed in regard to the water enterprise fund,
beach funds and the police separation allowance fund. The possible purchase of
a mini excavator for the Water Department was discussed. The cost, including a
used trailer, would be $28,000, and it is expected that it would last 20 years if prop
erly maintained. No decision was made. The next budget meeting was scheduled
for April 24.
There was discussion about whether the town should apply for a TIGER (Trans
portation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant. This
grant is awarded by the federal Department of Transportation and would be used
in support of the Pine Knoll Shores Pedestrian Master Plan. After considering
the different options, costs and the April 28 deadline, it was decided not to apply
and to continue to fund the pedestrian plan using NCDOT discretionary funds
and Powell Bill funds rather than using funds from the Pine Knoll Shores General
Fund sourced directly from the taxpayers.
The next regular Board of Commissioners’ meeting will be May 8 at 6 p.m.
Garden Club
By Michelle Powers
Simple Solutions to Protect Our Coastal Environment
With 320 miles of ocean beaches and 4,200 miles of shoreline around our coastal
sounds, rivers and creeks, our North Carolina coast has one of the largest, most
productive and spectacular coastal areas in the United States, according to Rachel
Besesi of the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Ms. Besesi, who was the guest
speaker at the April meeting of the Pine Knoll Shores Garden Club, is the Coastal
Education Coordinator for the federation and a specialist in linking coastal environ
ments with public education and outreach. Her talk focused on simple, do-it-your
self solutions to reducing storm-water pollution in our local environment. Because
of an expanding coastal population and the resulting increase in rooftops, driveways
and other impervious surfaces, storm water drains into streets, pipes and ditches
that flow directly to our coastal waters. This storm-water runoff brings with it pol
lutants, bacteria, chemicals and debris that endanger our health, property, quality of
life and coastal resources.
While residents are part of the problem, we can also be part of the solution by
adopting simple practices that help to capture the rain before it becomes polluted
runoff. Some of the simplest and most effective do-it-yourself techniques include us
ing native plantings, establishing rain gardens, rerouting downspouts and installing
rain barrels all techniques that capture the rain before it becomes a pollution issue.
The go native solution involves using native landscaping plants that are hardy
and well suited to our coastal soils and climate. Native plants and trees attract more
wildlife, are low maintenance, are noninvasive and reduce storm-water runoff by
intercepting it and allowing it to evaporate. Plants particularly suited to our envi
ronment include sweetbay magnolia, wax myrde, yaupon holly, blanket flower, sea
lavender, beautyberry and Carolina laurel, among many others.
Other simple techniques include redirecting downspouts away from impervious
surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks and other hardscape areas on your property.
Direct water to your lawn or garden or collect it in a rain barrel, a container that
collects and stores rainwater from your roof. Just one-quarter-inch of rain produces
enough runoff to fill a rain barrel. By using one, you not only reduce storm-water
runoff but you get a free watering source for plants and gardens.
Another very effective technique is to create a rain garden, a small, shallow,
vegetated area on your property that captures rain during storms. Rain gardens can
reduce storm-water runoff by 90% or more. Visit the Coastal Federations website at
www.nccoast.org for more detailed information on these simple solutions to pro
tecting our valuable and beautiful coastal environment.
Following Ms. Besesi s informative talk, the club elected the following officers for
the coming year: Donna Belanger, president; Karen Zaenker and Gini Stambaugh,
first vice presidents; Lana Hathaway
and Martha Edwards, second vice presi
dents; Jean McDanal, recording secre
tary; Kay Howe, treasurer; and Mary
Ann Shapiro, corresponding secretary.
The club looks forward to installing
these officers at a luncheon on June 11
at 11:30 a.m. at the Coral Bay Club.
Our next meeting, on May 14, will
feature themed tablescape displays
created by club members. Meetings are
held at town hall and begin at 9:30 a.m.
Guests are always welcome to attend.
WILLIAMS HARDWARE
at Morehead Plaza
• WINDOW & SCREEN REPAIR
• POWER TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
• LAWN & GARDEN SUPPLIES
• CHAINS & FASTENERS
• PLUMBERS & ELECTRICAL
• SHARPENING SERVICE
Gerber, Buck & Case Knives • Keys
Glass Cut to Size • We Cut Tliread Pipe
WSSL
rlWXIWMt
OPEN EVERY DAY
Mon-Sat 7:30am-6pm
Sun Noon-5pm
■7»gg^^.252-726-7158
May 2014 I The Shoreline ;9