482-4418 Wednesday, June 3, 2015 I /&&&%> imAAill II 4\ I P8/C8* - *'*‘CAR-RT LOT'*C 002 A0109 SHEPHERD PRUDEN LIBRARY 106 W WATER ST EDENTON NC 27932-1854 50* hicai numc. uMiviEO JUNE 4 vs Petersburg Generals I JUNE 6 vs Peninsula Pilots JUNE 8 vs Wilmington Sharks I JUNE 12 vs Petersburg Generals Call 482-4080 For More Information I WWW.EDEHTOWSTEAMERS.COM Cuts loom as county eyes two-cent tax hike BY REGGIE PONDER Editor The Chowan County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing June 15 on a recommended 2015-2016 budget that in cludes a six-cent increase in the property tax rate. The board set the pub lic hearing at its meeting Monday night. The budget hearing will be part of the board’s regular meeting on June 15. Although County Man ager Kevin Howard’s rec ommended budget includes an increase in the property tax rate of six cents per $100 valuation, the county commissioners at a special meeting last week gave ten tative backing last week to a proposed 2015-2016 county See CUTS LOOM, 2A Town mulls tax hike to cover revenue loss BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writer Town Manager Anne Marie Knighton says the town’s loss of privilege tax revenue due to legislative action has left her with no other option than to recom mend a 1.5-cent increase in the property tax rate. The proposed General Fund budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 reflects that pro posed increase. It is based on a tax rate of 38.5 cents per $100 valuation. The town’s current ad va lorem tax rate is 37 cents. A public hearing on the proposed budget has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, at 6 p.m. It will be presented for a vote by the town council during a June 22 special meeting that will precede the council’s monthly work session. In the meantime, Knigh ton’s budget message and proposed budget will be posted on the town’s web site and will also be avail able for viewing at town hail. “This recommendation to raise the tax rate is di rectly attributable to the loss of the annual privilege tax revenue,” Town Man ager Anne-Marie Knighton said in her budget message See TAX HIKE, 4A Albemarle Boats, Carolina Gassic Boats sold PHOTO COURTESY ALBEMARLE BOATS/CAROLINA CLASSIC BOATS Employees stand in front of the facility at Albemarle Boats and Carolina Classic Boats. The two homegrown companies now are owned by Edenton Boatworks LLC. ■ Management team, employees to remain in place From Staff reports Albemarle Boats arid Carolina Classic Boats have been pur chased by Edenton Boatworks LLC, a company of Murphy Alter native Investments. Scott McLaughlin, former owner of the companies, ac quired Albemarle Boats in 2008 and Carolina Classic Boats in 2011. McLaughlin merged the two legendary brands under one umbrella to become the premier builder of sportfishing boats .ranging in size from 24 to 41 feet, and he sustained the businesses through one of the most challeng ing periods in the history of the boating industry. Albemarle and Carolina Clas sic will build on the long-term heritage and family lustory of the brands. They are now poised with the resources and desire to grow both brands with a renewed em phasis on product development, customer experience, and dealer support. “All the management team and all the employees will remain in place,” Ted Haigler, vice president of sales and marketing for Albe marie Boats, said Monday. In addition, Haigler said the company expects to expand and could likely see growth in employment within the year. The team of seasoned boat builders and employees, who have an average tenure of 14 years, will stay in place. Keith and Wade Frivol.t, sons of Carolina Classic founder Mac Privott, will remain on board. Burch Perry, grandson of Albemarle founder Scott Harrell, will retain the helm as general manager and oversee both brands and business opera tions. “We are proud to be part of the ‘We are proud to be part of the heritage of these two great boat companies. ” Dell Murphy President, Edenton Boatworks heritage of these two great boat companies,” said Edenton Boat works President Dell Murphy. “We look forward to continuing to build quality boats and serving the many Albemarle and Carolina Classic owners and dealers. This Ls the beginning of many new things to come for both brands.” Located in Edenton, Eden ton Boatworks LLC is a newly formed company of Murphy Alternative Investments. It is the parent company of Albemarle Boats and Carolina Classic Boats, builders of offshore sportfishing boats with more than 3,600 hulls hand-crafted since 1978. The companies have defier locations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia For further information visit Albemarle Boats on the Internet at www.fibemar leboats.com and Carolina Classic at www.caroliniiclassicboats.com. Water festival STAFF PHOTO BY REBECCA BUNCH j Capt. Mark Thesier’s tour boat rounds the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse during Saturday's 17th annual Music and | Water Festival on the downtown Edenton waterfront. See story ' more photos on IB. | Town weighs water treatment options BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writer Public Works Director John Norris briefed the town council during its May 25 work session 6 0 ©2009 The Chowan Herald All Rights Reserved on options that would allow the town to reduce the level of Tri halomethanes in its water distri bution system. The town is currently in vio lation, as Town Manager Anne Marie Knighton noted in a May 22 memo to council members. “We are working on sending out another required notifica tion of violation, as we reported to you several months ago, for at least three, maybe four, more quarters,” she said. “For at least three, maybe four, more quar ters, we will be in violation for exceeding the maximum levels due to the quarterly averaging of results that is required by the federal government." Norris began by giving a brief overview of Trihalomethanes, what they an* and what they do. He explained that TYihalo rnetiuuies are byproducts that result from disinfection using See TREATMENT, 3A Hotel Hinton parking agreement nears finish BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writer The proposed lease for parking lot spates that would be made available to the Hotel Hinton will be dis cussed and ready to Ik* acted upon at the town council’s June 9 monthly meeting, town officials .said. In a May 22 memo to the town council, Town Manager Anne Marie Knighton said that after consultation with town attorney H