Commissioner Aaron Helms officially offered his resignation from the board last Thursday, June 7, at the Stanfield Board of Commissioners meeting. Helms and his wife are in the process of moving outside of the town limits, which will affect Helms’ ability to be on the board.
“What a blessing and joy it has been to work with such a good board the last three years,” Helms said. He will be leaving after being on the board for three years.
After considering their options for either replacing Helms or a commissioner assuming Helms’ responsibilities, a motion was made to keep the board the way it is, with four commissioners and the mayor to break a tie in the event that there is a stall in voting. Commissioner Jason Smith volunteered to assume Helms’ responsibilities for the remainder of the term.
Commissioner Jerry Williams and the rest of the Board reluctantly approved his resignation.
“Sadly, I am in favor,” said Williams.
“It’s bittersweet to leave because this has been home for five years,” said Helms.
In other matters
• There were 168 service calls for the month of May for the Stanfield Police Department. Among those eight were for larceny, one was charged with a DWI, four arrests were made, and 20 citations were given.
• A grant was awarded to Chief James Schneider and the Stanfield Police Department in the amount of $20,999 for improvements in technology.
• The board of commissioners approved a commitment for the Town of Stanfield to purchase a 2011 Caprice police car in the near future.
• The sidewalks have been completed around town, and a dedication ceremony with Representative Larry Kissell in attendance will be announced at a later time.
• As a sign of goodwill to the town, there will be no rate increase from Waste Management. They waived the CPI-U index raise in appreciation of Stanfield’s loyalty.
• A new proposed route for the trail and water line extension was approved by the board of commissioners. Parks and Rec will take away the sidewalk and have a paved street in place instead at the picnic areas at Pete Henkel Park. The cost to the town will be minimal because all of the supplies are already in the town’s possession.
• Kluttz Wholesale Tire is in the process of having properties rezoned to expand their business and create 20 new jobs for the area. The expansion would include tire-shredding equipment that may or may not affect surrounding neighborhoods. The Planning and Zoning board will evaluate the effect of the expansion in the community before rezoning the property.
• Rate negotiations with Oakboro for water are still occurring. The town wishes to go forward and draw up new contracts to resolve the situation.